Evelyn A. Strong

Evelyn Strong, also affectionately known as “Zebbie”, “Tata” and “Mema Cookie” of Auburndale, Florida passed away on April 9, 2025. She was 100 years old. Evelyn was born on April 16, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph Frank and Antonette Cerny Dvorak. She was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she met the Love of her life, James Strong. They were married and she raised her family there until moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1955 and eventually moving to Polk County in the early 1980’s. 

While in Fort Lauderdale she was a member of the Navy Mother’s Club and a Girl Scout Leader as well as a Den Mother for Boy Scouts Pack #177. Evelyn was a very active member of the Dundee Methodist Church, where she had been a member for some 50 years. Some of her hobbies included crocheting, in fact she delighted in crocheting many blankets for her family and friends, she also loved to bake Bohemian dishes, and she could also be found, quite regularly, in her yard tending to her lovely flowers. Miss Evelyn had a strong love for children, she in fact helped raise a second daughter, Neena and some of her fondest memories were of her grand and great-grandchildren who would come and spend time with her over the summers. 

Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Antonette; her husband, James “Mac” Strong and her siblings, Robert J. Dvorak, David L. Dvorak, Ruth Guenthner and Betty J. Dvorak. She is survived by her son, James “Jim” Martin and his wife, Kim of Prosper, Texas; daughter, Mary Jane Young of Auburndale and her Fiancée, David Misity; “daughter”, Neena Williams of Lakeland, Florida; sister-in-law, Patti Dvorak, the wife of David and six grandchildren as well as sixteen greatgrandchildren. 

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. 

Memorial donations may be made to Dundee Methodist Church at  https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1314071