of Desha, AR
December 25, 1919 - November 27, 2018
Robert Shelby Stroud was born December 25, 1919 in Uno (Poinsett County) Arkansas and passed away on November 27, 2018 at his home in Desha, Arkansas, surrounded by his family. His parents were George Allen Stroud and Mary Ellen Justus Stroud. He was preceded in death by them and his brothers J.B. Stroud and Theodore Albert Stroud, and his beloved wife Betty Lester Stroud. He is survived by his son Robert Desha Stroud (Deborah Lytle) of Desha, Mary Carolyn Stroud Vandiver (Hal) of Desha, grandchildren Mary Katherine Vandiver of Batesville, Virginia Ellen Stroud of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Benjamin Desha Stroud (Nicole Glover) of Batesville, and Anna Desha Vandiver Hines (Rodger) of Saint Joseph, Missouri, and great-grandchildren Caroline Desha Graham, Sarah Leslie Graham, Sophia Jane Graham, Julian Desha Stroud, Elizabeth Shelby Desha Hines and Ruby Simone Stroud. For the last three decades, his life was deeply enriched by the special companionship of Mary Lee Thessen.
Robert was a member of First United Methodist Church in Batesville, a Mason and a supporter of many groups which upheld his interests in local history and customs. He and Betty were founding members of the Independence County Historical Society and until his death he remained involved in supporting the Ozark Folk Center through the Committee of One Hundred on which Betty, daughter Mary and granddaughter Mary Katherine all served.
For 80 years he was involved in actively managing farming interests in and around Desha, his adopted home. Robert was a collector, with a fondness for coins, knives, primitive furniture and anything that ''caught his eye''. But mostly he collected relationships and friends. His engaging personality, warmth and wry, quick wit will be sorely missed by all of them.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 615 E. Main St., Batesville, Old Independence Regional Museum, 380 S. Ninth Street, Batesville, and the Committee of One Hundred, P. O. Box 2111, Mountain View, 72560.
After a private burial ceremony, a memorial service will be held at First Methodist Church in Batesville at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, followed by visitation with the family at the Church. Arrangements by Roller-Crouch Funeral Home, Batesville.
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15 Condolence(s)
JAMES or Sue WAYMACK
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Robert and Betty were such special neighbors, church family, and friends when we lived in Desha many years ago. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Alma Ward
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Dear Bob, Deborah , and All of Your Dads Family. Sending my thoughts so sorry to hear this He was a great guy. I saw him
Couple weeks ago at Dr Cooke office. He knew me and still had that smile. Ed and I used to be having coffee at Wyatt’s and he would come in and join all of us. A great friendly man .
I know you will miss him . Pray God will comfort each of You,
Alma Ward
Julie Brooks Pittman
Friday, November 30, 2018
Dear Stroud clan,
What a lovely write up about such an outstanding man. Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Much love from your Mississippi friends.
JoAnne, Julie, Ronnie and Brooks Anne
Richard & Marilyn Earnheart
Friday, November 30, 2018
Our thoughts & prayers are with each of you during this sad time.
Richard & Marilyn
Jan Burrow Qualls
Friday, November 30, 2018
In our thoughts and prayers ,,The Burrow family ,, Jan Burrow Qualls
David and Sandra Cullins
Friday, November 30, 2018
We are thinking of you and your family. We always loved his smile
Too and Johnny McMullin
Friday, November 30, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Johnny has Toi McMullin
George Cavaness
Thursday, November 29, 2018
My condolences to the family.
MJ and Porter Young
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Sweet Mary, so very sorry for your loss. What an amazing life bd wonderful family. Please know you are in our thoughts and py. We smile every time we have driven by his “white” fence.
Love to this precious family ♥️
Jerry and Joyce Hensley
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Condolences and deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Robert Stroud.
Bill Estes & Janet Tosh
Thursday, November 29, 2018
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Russell E Warner ( Skip )
Thursday, November 29, 2018
RIP Robert Stroud .
Gary Perkey
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
It was nice to visit with Mr. Stroud and talk about "old times." He was truly a Southern gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this sad time.
Mark shreve
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
In my thoughts. A true gentleman
Linda Ring
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Mr. Stroud touched a lot of lives in the Desha area and we counted him a friend. The Stroud Family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Your Friends at
Stubbs Home Center Inc.