Mary Jo Strope

Ocean Park resident Mary Jo Strope, 71, died December 21, 2006 in Portland, Oregon. Mary Jo was born Aplin, Arkansas on September 14, 1935, to a family of nine children born to William E. and Millie (Carruthers) Carter. She grew up in the Aplin area located on the Ozark Mountains. During her teen years she moved to Wichita, Kansas where she graduated from high school and went on to obtain her associates degree in accounting. Mary Jo began her career in the accounting field before becoming a nursing home administrator. She was employed in that capacity in Boise, Idaho for 13 years and then in Missoula, Montana. In 1986 she moved to the Long Beach Peninsula where she was administrator at Ocean View Convalescent Center until retirement in 1998. Following her retirement she provided home health care to numerous area families until just recently. Mary Jo was proud of her commitment to quality health care for the elderly and was a strong advocate for such care. Mary Jo was baptized in the First Christian Church of Boise where she previously was a member. She was also a member of Pacific Chapter No. 129 Order of Eastern Star of Ilwaco, WA. She enjoyed gardening and was very proud of her flowers and yard. She also enjoyed traveling and caring for animals of all kinds. A devoted wife and mother, she maintained a strong commitment to her family. She and Jesse Strope were married March 5, 1983 in Elko, Nevada. He survives residing in Ocean Park. Also surviving are sons Gregory Taylor and wife Nancy of Thomasville, GA and Barry Taylor and wife Linda of Boise, ID; stepchildren Calvin Strope and wife Jackie of Sun Valley, ID, Patty McCarthy and husband Rex of Boise, ID, and Dara Handel and husband Lex of Forest Grove, CA; brothers Jackie Carter and Johnny Carter both of Dallas, TX; sisters Ima Jean Boone of Houston, TX, Fay Munn of Clarksville, TN, Boby Barlow of Delaware, and Louise Jackson of Hot Springs, AR; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held December 26, 2006 at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview, WA. Concluding graveside services were held at Idaho Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho. Arrangements are by Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach, WA. Please sign the guestbook online at www.penttilaschapel.com.