Marian Rebecca Strobaugh

April 14, 2020

Marian Rebecca Strobaugh (née Johnson), affectionately known as Becky, a long-time resident of McDavid, FL, passed away at the age of 60 on April 13, 2020, while at home, surrounded by family and friends.

Becky is survived by her two sons: Joey and his wife, Sabrina, of Clarksville, TN; Daniel and his fiancee, Dia, of McDavid, FL; and her “adopted son, without paperwork” – as she used to say – Arron Fillingim, of Jay, FL

By six grandchildren: Christian Dwight, Liam Alexander and Benjamin Atticus; Isabella Danielle, Anastasia Grace, and Rebecca, due in October 2020.

By her brother, John Johnson, and sister, Elizabeth Johnson-Hasty, both of Bratt, FL; and many, many loving family members and friends.

She is preceded in Heaven by her father, Herman Johnson, and mother, Johnnie Johnson (née Brown), both of McDavid, FL.

Becky was born in Atmore, Alabama, on May 2nd, 1959, to her loving parents, Herman and Johnnie. She was blessed to have lived in many places, as the daughter of an officer in the United States Army – to include Oklahoma, Georgia, Washington and Germany, to name a few – prior to settling and raising her two sons in McDavid, FL, after her own service in the United States Navy.

Becky joined the United States Navy in 1980, serving as a Cryptologic Technician in both technical and intelligence disciplines; where she rose to the rank of Petty Officer First Class and her work became vital to intelligence efforts supporting the end of the Cold War. She spent much of her service in Charleston, SC (where she met her late, former husband, Dennis Strobaugh), Guam, the Philippines, and Virginia. On February 10th, 1987, in the Philippines, and October 14th, 1992, in Pensacola, respectively, she gave birth to her sons, who were the most important part of her life.

Becky was a long-time member of the Christian Home Free Will Baptist Church in McDavid, FL, until its closure. Afterward, she became a member of the Unity Baptist Church in Atmore, AL.

Becky was a devoted mother and doting grandmother who, in December 1997, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, at the time a lesser-known and largely unresearched cancer of the bone marrow. With her courageous spirit, determination and sense of humor, she became a beacon of hope to the Northwest Florida cancer community; her own battle helping shape research and the development of treatments that have been effective in saving countless lives from this disease. At the time of her death, she was the longest living Survivor of Multiple Myeloma.

She has always credited her faith in God and the love and support of her family for her ability to not only survive, but to thrive in the face of her medical struggles. She will be deeply missed by her family and many, many friends, whom she has always considered family, from all over the world.

Based on her personal wishes and current events, a memorial service will be postponed until travel and congregation restrictions have been lifted. More information can be requested via her son, Joey, at paul.strobaugh@gmail.com. Periodic updates will also be made publicly on her Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests that donations be made, in Becky’s name, to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. (www.TheMMRF.org)

Comments

2 Responses to “Marian Rebecca Strobaugh”

  1. Cindy Knight on April 15th, 2020 5:33 pm

    I can’t even describe the feelings I had for my first cuz. She was my encouragement and my best friend ,at any time of the day. I could talk to her everyday or not for months and we both knew, the bond we had.
    Her absence is felt so heavily by me and of course all of our family,
    John, thank you for loving your sister, so well. You were in my eyes the perfect brother and she adored you so much. Betsy, her love for you was always there no matter what words you had as sisters.
    Danny , thank you and you precious Dia and girls for helping her not only in your younger years, but recently. Those girls ! Well let’s just say she loved them so much.
    Joey, her eldest, you have been there even at way to young of an age to care for your mama. She loved you and respected you. Sabrina and those boys, well she loved you all so much. Becky ,was never one to hold a grudge, she was stubborn for sure, but she understood life was too short. Give Jed a hug for me and tell my mom I love her. Tell granny and gramps and your mom and dad we all miss them so.
    Sarah, Amy and your families, you just loved her so well, so close. I always envied the closeness you all had, and was privileged
    to be a part of this family. Becky, I
    Will see you soon.
    Love Cindy and our Familiy

  2. David and Jackie Johnson on April 15th, 2020 9:36 am

    Condolences to the family of Becky Johnson Strobauch. Prayers!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries