Melrose Watkins Strain 

Published 8:34 am Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Melrose Watkins Strain was born Feb. 8, 1940, in Baton Rouge, La. She passed away peacefully at 84 on Jan. 24, 2025, in Picayune, Miss. Melrose was a life-long resident of the Pearl River County, Miss. area. She was happily married to the love of her life for more than 50 years, Clarence Strain. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her family, her church, and her Lord Jesus Christ passionately. She was a faithful member of the Burgetown Church of the Lord Jesus Christ for approximately 44 years and to Greater Life Apostolic Church for the last 13 years. She loved to worship the Lord in song, a favorite being “God on the Mountain.” Melrose exemplified this song as she walked through the valley, always with a song in her heart and ready praise on her lips. Her life was a testament to God’s faithfulness, and her legacy is one that will live on in the hearts of her family and all others that knew her. She will be greatly missed by all who are left to cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Strain; her daughter, Tammy Fair; her parents, Andrew Watkins Sr. and Leila Watkins; one sister, Laurie Smith of Picayune, Miss., and two brothers, Preston Watkins and Lionel Watkins. She is survived by her daughter, Theresa (Stephen) Spiers; four sons, Terry (Terri) Strain, Tim (Connie) Strain, Richard (Ruth) Strain, and Ted (Monica) Strain; three sisters, Juanita (Mike) Eastman, Dixie (Richard) Sansing, Joyce (Ford) Robbins; two brothers, Kenneth (Susan) Watkins, and Andy (Luann) Watkins; 15 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, and many other extended family members. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at Greater Life Apostolic Church, 217 Matthews Road, Carriere, Miss. with Pastor Ted Strain, Bishop Richard Strain, the Rev. Stephen Spiers, Bishop Floyd Odom, and Bishop Wade Townley officiating. Visitation for immediate family will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Open visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. followed by a graveside service held at the cemetery of the First Baptist Church of Carriere, located at 171 Smith Street, Carriere, Miss. Arrangements are under the direction of Picayune Funeral Home, Picayune, Miss.