Raymond Lewis Stroup Jr. “B J” passed away on March 26, 2020.  The last two years of his life he fought a courageous battle with stage 4 Bladder Cancer.  B J's life may have been cut short, but he touched the hearts of many while he was with us.

 

B J was born on April 14, 1977 in Augusta, GA to parents Raymond and Jo Ann Stroup.  He lost his mother Jo Ann to Colon Cancer on July 25, 1997.  

 

B J graduated from Wabaunsee High School in Alma, KS in 1996 where he was on the football team, the wrestling team, marching band (marched in his football uniform during halftime), high school glee club and performed in all drama productions. In his sophomore and junior year he made the Kansas State Honors Choir.  His senior year he toured England with the Summer Choral Institute where they also performed at Westminster Abbey before the Queen. He attended his freshman year at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS where he met his first wife Nancy Watson.

 

B J and Nancy were married in 1999 and had two daughters, Rachae'l and Dawn.  Their marriage wouldn't last forever as they hoped, they were divorced in 2009.  

 

B J spent 20 years as an over the road truck driver, the last company that he drove for was CSQT Trucking. During that time he met and fell in love with Kayla Daniels Lewis and her two children, Daniel and Kelsey, of Richton, MS. They married on April 20, 2019, which was his mother's birthday. This eventually resulted in a beautiful blended family with the arrival of their baby daughter, Willow.

 

B J is preceded in death by his mother Jo Ann, his paternal grandparents Peggy and John Stroup, his maternal grandmother Juanita Roberts.

 

He is survived by his wife Kayla, their children Daniel, Kelsey, and Willow.  His first wife Nancy and their two daughters Rachae'l and Dawn.  His sister and brother-in-law Joey and Danny Smith and their son Tristan Smith. His father and stepmother Raymond and Connie Stroup. And of course the many aunts, uncles, and cousins all around the country.  Then last but not least, his faithful over the road traveling companion, his Pomeranian Pixie.

Pastor Josh Dunn from First Baptist Church of Richton, MS will perform the eulogy at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020 at Magnolia Cemetery in Evergreen, AL. Graveside service provided by Cope-Keahey Funeral Home of Evergreen, AL.