Claude Chambers Strother, Jr.

Claude Chambers Strother, Jr. passed away January 16, 2026 at the age of 82. He was born March 11, 1943 to the late Claude Strother, Sr. and Sarah Bruce Strother.

Claude spent many years in the family cattle business before retiring. He bought a beach house for Bettie where they enjoyed some of the best years of their lives dancing, listening to Neil Dover at the Flora-Bama and finding sea beans - but he always made it home for turkey season.

Claude lived by a simple philosophy: live life on your own terms. As he often said, “I could not have had a better life.”

Raised in Gastonburg, Alabama, Claude loved every minute spent there, on his land, at his camphouse, and surrounded by the outdoors. His passion for turkey hunting was unmatched, but just as important to him was sharing that joy with others. He found true happiness in watching friends and family experience time at his camphouse, gathered around a campfire, hunting, swapping stories and laughter.

Claude lived life well and fully, marked by countless adventures, hunts, and experiences unlike anyone else’s. His love for people was unmistakable. He never met a stranger, and no one passed him on the beach without stopping for a conversation. His gift for storytelling, friendship, and genuine connection will be remembered as fondly as the life he so fully embraced.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Claude Strother McGilberry; brother, Bruce Calvin Strother; sister, Marjorie Kendall Strother Overmyer.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth "Bettie" Skipper Strother; daughter, deAnn Strother (Darren Joe) McGilberry and grandchildren, Patrick Chambers McGilberry (Jaylyne Bell), Elizabeth Celie McGilberry and Darius Lee Frank Clifton.

Visitation will be at the Strother Home at 510 Tremont Street in Selma on Monday, January 19, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Gastonburg Cemetery with Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home of Selma directing.

Pallbearers will be Culman Leonard Skipper, Jerry "Doc" Meeks, Mike DeJohn, Bruce Perdue, Scott Ware, Richard Strickland, Charlie Crocker, Bill McEvoy and Wayne Griffin.