Our History
On July 15th of 2008 the Strawbridge family was dealt with a traumatic blow that turned into a blessing in disguise, when Stephanie, Roberta, and Barbara were laid off from their place of employment. By July 26th Stephanie’s vision of owning her own funeral business was becoming a reality when they secured their location at 3612 E. 116th. Beginning in October of 2008 the family worked tirelessly day and night to form Strawbridge Memorial Chapel; the first funeral home in the City of Cleveland to be established by an African American Woman.
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Stephanie E. Strawbridge President/Licensed Funeral Director
Stephanie is an honors graduate of Central State University. She has worked in and around the funeral industry since 1989 and became a Licensed Funeral Director in 2007. She is passionate about her work and feels honored to be able to serve the families in her community. Stephanie says "this business is more than a career to me; it's a ministry"
Stephanie is a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association (OFDA), the Embalmers Association of Cleveland, as well as a Board Member of the Cleveland African American Funeral Directors & Embalmers Association (CAAFDEA) and the Mt. Pleasant NOW Development Corporation. Stephanie is also a member of the Order of Easterns Stars (Bethel Chapter #58), El Hasa Ct. #47, DOI and a Kappa Sweetheart (DZ Chapter). -
Roberta Strawbridge Moore VP/Office Manager
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Barbara Russell CFO/Accounts Payable
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William Strawbridge Director of Operations
Mr. William Strawbridge started his career in the funeral industry as a teenager at the House of Wills Funeral Home, under the leadership of Mr. J.W. Wills Sr, and furthered his career from 1999 to 2011 at the Gaines Funeral Home. Upon retirement Mr. Strawbridge joined his family on January 1, 2012 at Strawbridge Memorial Chapel, where he holds the the title of Director of Operations.
Mr. Strawbridge is an active member of the Masonic Order. He is a member of El Hasa Temple # 28 and currently holds the title of Imperial Deputy of Oasis of Cleveland. He is also a member of Zion Chapel M.B.C. under the pastorate of Pastor George O. Stewart -
Darrell Moore Funeral Attendant
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Paul Moore Funeral Attendant
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Elisa Akins Funeral Attendant
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Charnise Moore PT Funeral Home Attendant
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Mark O Ramsey Funeral Attendant
Mark shared his compassion and love for others as a Funeral Attendant throughout the city of Cleveland for many years.
Mark attended Cleveland Public Schools and was a 1984 graduate of East Technical High School. He was an active member of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church.
Mark was a proud member of Ecclesiastes Lodge #120 and El Hasa Temple #28 for many years. He was the Worthy Patron of Ecclesiastes Chapter Order #101 Order of the Eastern Star. Mark also served as a Page for Congressman Louis Stokes, and as the Driver for Reverend Dr. Otis Moss; picking up dignitaries such as Jesse Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela, and President Bill Clinton.
Mark loved sports. His passion for boxing led to a win of the 1984 Golden Gloves Championship.
He departed this life October 9, 2015. In his honor our gathering hall has been named after him, the Mark O. Ramsey Gathering Hall. He is and forever will be deeply missed. -
Rev. Earl S. Bumgarner Chaplain
Rev. Bumgarner is a graduate of the McCreary Center for Religious Studies and is currently pursuing his Masters in Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary. Rev. Bumgarner founded the City of God Baptist Fellowship in 2007 with its inaugural service being held May 20, 2007, and served as its Shepherd for 10 years. Reverend likes to say that he is not the founding Pastor of “The City”, but rather that The City of God Baptist Fellowship
birthed him. The church began in the living room of his home before later moving into Collinwood High School.
Rev. Bumgarner has served on boards and championed the needs of God’s people throughout his ministerial journey. He is Prince Hall mason and member of Excelsior Lodge #11, as well as a Shriner. In 2017 was elevated to the 33° of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Through his fraternal affiliations he continues to serve God’s people through
the charitable works of the organization.
In October of 2018 Rev. Bumgarner was installed as the Senior Pastor of Christian Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He is a gifted teacher and preacher of the word of God and though many accolades and accomplishments can be laid at his feet, the most important accomplishment of his life is that day that he chose to make JESUS his KING!
