Albert Isaac "Al" Stroud of Weldon died on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC at the age of 94.

Born on November 25, 1918 to the late Isaac Thomas and Esther Pease Stroud in Duplin County, NC, where he resided until graduating from Wake Forest College that later became Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Throughout the years he has been a Deacon Club member, an avid fan and supporter of the University and in recent years served on the scholarship selection committee. His mother Esther Pease Stroud was the dietitian for the football team at Wake Forest years ago, and in her honor he established the "Esther Pease Stroud Scholarship Fund."

After college graduation he married Anna Joy Smith who died in 1991. They had one daughter Jerry Sue. He attended the Naval Officers Training School in Great Lakes, Illinois, and was later drafted into the Army and served during World War II. During the Battle of the Bulge in Germany he received war related injuries and was evacuated to Army hospitals in Europe and then back to the US and later received an honorable discharge with service connected disability. In September 2011 he was privileged to be selected to go to Washington DC on one of the "Flight of Honor" trips for World War II veterans.

He was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Sudan Shrine Club and served on numerous committees in each club. He was instrumental in the organization of the Roanoke Valley Mini-Motors and served as lieutenant of that unit. A long time member of the Roanoke Valley Rotary Club, he was a Paul Harris Fellow and served for two years on the committee to select the Rotary Youth Exchange students. In 1993-94 he served as District Governor for Rotary District 7720, and for several years attended international conventions as a representative for his Rotary District.

Al was a member of Rosemary Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for many years and was still actively teaching prior to his illness. He was a member of the Board of Deacons for several terms and was also a trustee of the church.

The following information regarding his career that began in 1965 with Jefferson Standard is provided by Dan Randall Regional Managing Partner for Lincoln Financial Group. "Al achieved many awards and honors during his years as a Career agent with Pilot Life/Jefferson Pilot including Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, Eagle Award, National Quality Award, Agent of the Month numerous times, Honor Agent of the Year, JP Club, President's Club, Jefferson Pilot Hall of Fame and attended annual sales meetings at the Doral Country Club and annual and semi-annual conventions all across the US and many international destinations. Al signed his retired/senior agent/general agent contract in 2002 and finished his career with Lincoln Financial Group in December 2012 as one of the most decorated and accomplished associates in the history of Pilot Life and Jefferson Pilot."

He is survived by his wife Mildred Stroud; daughter Jerry Sue Brooks and her husband Bobby of Rosehill, NC. Grandsons Jay Devereux and wife Steffanie of Marietta, GA, and Andy Brooks and wife Taryn of Rosehill, NC. Great grandchildren Lawrence Devereux and Bella Grace Brooks. Also surviving are sisters Sue Todd of Oxford, NC; Doris Eller and husband Max of Lillington, NC; and Katherine Gosley and husband Bob of Currie, NC. Brothers Thomas Stroud and wife Virginia of West Monroe, LA; and Joe Stroud and wife Lib of Garner, NC. Step-son Jeffrey Morgan and wife Debbie, step grandsons Scott and Robby Morgan of Charlotte, NC. He was preceded in death by a brother David Stroud and a sister Mildred Brooks.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Askew Funeral and Cremation Services, 731 Roanoke Avenue, Roanoke Rapids, NC and other times at the home. Al donated his body to The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC for medical research. A memorial service celebrating his life will be at Rosemary Baptist Church, 936 Jackson St., Roanoke Rapids, NC at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 12 with Dr. Layne Wallace and Rev. Tom Bodkin officiating.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Baptist Men, Rosemary Baptist Church, 936 Jackson St., Roanoke Rapids, NC; or Wake Forest University Deacon Club, 499 Deacon Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27105.

The flag in front of the funeral home flies at half-staff in honor of Mr. Stroud’s service to his country.