Maggie Mae Strong's Obituary
Maggie Mae Moore was born April 24, 1940 to Paralee and Sylvester Moore in Saint Louis, Missouri. She was the third of seven children and was preceded in death by her mother; father; brothers, Melvin, Sylvester, Alphonso; and sister, Gloria.
The family had a strong faith in God, and Maggie was taught to love and obey the Lord from a very young age. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized and became an active member of Northern Missionary Baptist Church.
She remained a woman of strong faith and was a member of Murchinson Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-five years. Maggie was never just been a member of the pew but was always actively involved in the activities of her church. She was an active member of several auxiliaries – the Missionary Society, Stewards Board, and Ushers Board. Whenever the church had a project, or a special needs program, Maggie was sought out to lend her expertise, assistance, and financial commitment.
Maggie attended Warren Elementary School and graduated from Vashon High School in 1957.
Following graduation, Maggie entered the workforce and through the years had a variety of jobs until her retirement in 2005. She had a strong work ethic which persisted throughout her life - whether she was performing volunteer work, serving her community, working on family projects, or just planning a party - Maggie made sure her plans were executed to the smallest detail, and that everything was done in excellence!
Maggie met and married Johnnie McDaniels, and to this union, her oldest daughter, Pamela McDaniels was born. The couple later divorced but remained friends.
Maggie always kept a full social calendar, and she was indeed the “life of the party”! She loved attending dances, birthday celebrations, banquets, special dinners, national NAACP meetings, and the Collins-Outlaw Family Reunions.
At one social outing Maggie attended with friends, she was introduced to a handsome, young U. S. Navy Veteran named Andrew Strong! The two soon became an inseparable couple. On March 16, 1968, Maggie and Andrew were united in Holy Matrimony. They have been best friends for the past fifty-two years! Through these past many years, regardless of the occasion, you would never see Maggie without Andrew following right behind - or vice versa! What a loving and dynamic duo these two made! Besides being committed to each other, they accepted their extended families on both sides. There was never a family celebration or gathering that was missed!
This is just a reflection of the strong commitment to family that Maggie had. Her belief was that when one family member succeeded the entire family was successful! She was instrumental in organizing both local and nationwide family reunions of her extended and extensive maternal family. Maggie has instilled a sense of family pride, educational excellence and a strong work ethic in her children, younger family members, and everyone that has been a part of her circle of influence.
Maggie was always the type of woman that wanted to make a difference – in the lives of everyone and anyone. Her accolades are many, but most importantly she was committed to her overall vision of excellence for her family, her neighborhood, and her community as a whole.
Maggie called the City of Northwoods her home since 1970. One of her desires in selecting Northwoods as the place to raise her family was that she was passionate about being involved in a tightly knit neighborhood centered on family values. Early on, Maggie had been faithfully involved in her neighborhood – participating in everything from the block unit, to community carnivals and picnics, and as a member of the political governing board for over two decades. Maggie was an active member of Northwoods O.A.K.S., Block Units 1656 and 1691, and the Ward I meetings.
Maggie was a mother to three children. Her eldest, Pamela, preceded her in death; her son, Andrew, is married, living in Salt Lake City, Utah; and her youngest daughter, Michelle, is married, living in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a grandmother to three grandsons, Elias, Aaron, and Austin; and one granddaughter, Ava, all of whom adored her! Elias was a frequent weekend visitor at her home in Northwoods; and not more than a month would pass that Maggie and Andrew did not spend extended time in Atlanta with Aaron, Austin, and Ava.
In addition, Maggie was both a mother figure and mentor to countless dozens of her nieces and nephews, cousins, and her children’s friends. She was both sought after and respected for her maternal advice, and often she was called just to have a listening ear.
Maggie was actively involved in the youth activities of the Normandy School District, the Normandy Vikings Little League, and the NAACP Youth Council. She was never passive regarding her involvement in the lives of young people and relentlessly pursued interacting with them in all aspects of their lives: school, church, family, and community.
Maggie was a phenomenal role model who was successful in being a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a dependable relative, a faithful employee and a respected member of the community. Before it was popular, Maggie was a “working mother” who not only fulfilled her duties on the job, but never missed being present at her children’s school activities, and made sure they were greeted daily with a home-cooked meal!
In 1993, her interest in the development of her community became one of her major focuses and she campaigned for the position of Alderwoman in the City of Northwoods - and won! Twenty-seven years later, she was still an Alderwoman who was admired as a woman of integrity, high morals, and keenly interested in what was best for all members of her community. She was Chairman of the Police Advisory Board, Personnel Co-Chair of Housing Code Enforcement, Chairman of North Oaks Plaza, and a member of Northwoods Parks and Recreation.
On the national level, Maggie was a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Her active membership and input was in the local St. Louis County Branch of the NAACP. She was an annual contributor and committee member of the Freedom Dinner Jazz Brunch and an avid supporter of the local NAACP Youth Council.
In these days when mentors are difficult to discover, one needed only to look to Maggie! She never hesitated to give - whatever, whenever, and wherever she saw a need. She did not wait to be asked to give her assistance, because her generous spirit led her to make an impact in others’ lives without asking for anything in return. Her life was a strong example of what achievements can be attained when a woman never loses her vision of instilling pride, excellence and commitment into her family, community, and the nation as a whole. She tirelessly gave so much of her time, talents, and treasures, that her legacy permeated all aspects of society.
One of Maggie’s favorite pastimes was shopping! She loved to shop and was never known to pass up a sale. Whether at a mall, downtown and even out of town, Maggie would always make time to go shopping. Her excellent sense of fashion and choice of outfits reflected her passion! She was a such a classy lady who set the standard for elegance.
Early in the morning on Friday, November 27, 2020, at her home, Maggie transitioned from time into eternity while being lovingly cradled in the arms of her devoted husband, Andrew.
She leaves to rejoice at her transition into the Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Andrew, her husband of fifty-two years; her son, Andy (Jessica); daughter, Michelle (Randall); grandchildren, Elias, Aaron, Austin, and Ava; brothers, Kent and Bob (Erthalyne); and a host of cherished nieces and nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Maggie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Maggie?
Share a story where Maggie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Maggie you’ll never forget.
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