Gwendolyn A. Strong

Mrs Gwendolyn Annette Strong was born in Buffalo, NY. She was born January 18, 1953.Shw She is the oldest child and only daughter born to Matthew Stanley Smith Senior and Ernestine Smith. Raised by her grandmother Carrie May Howard, Gweng would grow up in a strict, traditional religious home. She attended Woodlawn Jr High School and graduate from East High School. Gwendolyn would eventually reconcile with her Chicago family and visit often in summers during her high school years. Around her junior year in high school, Gwendolyn or Gwen as she is commonly known met the man of her dreams. She met Billy Gene “Ikey” Strong in her neighborhood. His sister Ann was a friend of hers and she curiously asked questions which led to a swift introduction. Over a short time, the two became inseparable. It also wasn’t long before Gwen became pregnant. It was an easy decision for Ikey to become a father in 1971. The two were wed in 1972. September 8, of that year the couple welcomed their only child, a boy Amoni Strong. Sadly, the couple didn’t last long as they were divorced in 1974. The love never died. However, the two would never reconcile or remarry. The next decade would see a more serious focus on her career. Odd jobs dominated the early years after her divorce. However, a more direct approach was required. She would become a certified nurse assistant. It would be a necessary step as she and her son would be getting older and needed more. By 1982, Gwen and her son would move into the Towne Gardens housing complex. In the following years, her experience would increase. Moving out of Towne Gardens in 1990, home ownership would be a fantastic accomplishment. Five years later, she would relocate to Bremerton, Washington with her son, Amoni. By the year 2008, she would relocate again to reunite with her Chicago family. By 2021, Gwen would be diagnosed with a serious illness. On March 21, 2024 Gwendolyn Strong would succumb to lung cancer and kidney related complications. Gwendolyn is preceded in death by Matthew Smith Sr, mother Ernestine Marie Smith, Grandmother Carrie May Howard, brother Derrick Lee Smith. She is survived by one son: Amoni Strong and a grandson Isaiah Strong

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