Mr. James Cleo Strong, Jr. known to many as Pop, 51, of 125 College Rd. Apt. A6 Shelby, NC departed this earthly life on Tuesday January 21, 2014 at his residence.  He was born on October 4, 1962 to Pearl Livsey Strong and the late James Cleo Strong.

James always had a passion for driving tractor trailers following in the footsteps of his father and uncles before him.  After moving to Temple, Texas, his childhood passion became a reality.  James and his wife became owners and operators of Strong’s Trucking and he enjoyed this until declining health brought him back to Shelby.

In addition to his father, James was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Pinkney Cleo Stong and Rosa Barr Strong; his maternal grandparents, O.T. Livsey, Sr. and Florene Hughes Livsey; six aunts, Elizabeth Ann Livsey, Sara Livsey Littlejohn, Lovie Feaster, Julie John, Moena Miller and Sophia Livsey; a great-aunt, Elizabeth Morgan and four uncles, O.T. Livsey, Jr., Raymond Strong, Johnny Chapman, Sr. and Robert Gidney.

He is survived by his wife, Sherri Strong of Temple, TX; his mother, Pearl Strong of Shelby; two daughters, Shantaza Williams of Charlotte, NC and Heather Armstrong of TX; three sisters and a brother, Linda Strong Douglas, Lucinda Peaks (Thomas), Jerry Strong and Sylvia Austin (Martin) all of Shelby; an additional brother-in-law, Freddie Douglas of Shelby; three grandchildren; eight aunts, Cammie Pressley (Buford), Shirley Brooks (Willie Frank), Dorothy Hosch, Delia Livsey, Lucille Chapman and Louise Strong all of Shelby and Priscilla Gidney of Lawrenceville, GA and Laura Catlin (Herbert) of Charlotte; six uncles, Curtis Livsey (Michelle), J.D. Livsey (Arthea), Robert Strong (Pothenia) and Jerry Woods (Brenda) all of Shelby, Craymond Strong of Hickory, NC and Leon Strong (Helen) both of Charlotte and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 31, 2014 at 3:00 PM at Shoal Creek Baptist Church with Pastor Michael Isaac officiating.  Burial will take place at the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 2:30 until 3:00 PM at the church on Friday and at other times at the home of his mother, 6038 Deep Green Drive in Shelby.  The family would like to thank Dr. Tedstrom, the Sanger Clinic, Hospice in Shelby and St. Mary’s Home Care for all their care and assistance during his illness.  In addition, they would like to thank Pastor Michael Isaac and Shoal Creek Baptist Church family for their help, love and support.  Condolences can be expressed online at www.enloes.net.  Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.