EMMETT REESE STRONG, JR.

 The following bio was taken from page 399 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Claudia Schuster

 Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

 Emmett Reese Strong, Jr. was the son of Emmett Reese Strong, Sr. and Grace Williams.  Reese married Lula Mae Ross in July, 1940.  She is the daughter of William B. Ross and Annie Lou Jones Ross.  Both Reese and Lula were born and reared in Rusk County and have lived most of their lives here. 

Reese attended Texas A & M University, and he served in World War II in the 45^th Division in the European Theater of Operations.  He was employed with the Rural Electric Cooperative here in Rusk County, both serving as assistant manager and manager.  He was also manager of Johnson County Electric Cooperative in Cleburne, Texas for eleven years.

 Lula attended Stephen F. Austin State College, North Texas State University, and Texas Christian University and has a master’s degree.  She taught school for thirty-five years.

 Reese and Lula have two sons.  The first, Dr. William Reese (Bill) Strong is married to Rachel Castillo.  Dr. Strong is a professor of geography at the University of North Alabama located in Florence, Alabama.  Rachel is employed at Tennessee Valley Authority as a counselor.  Dr. Strong is a graduate of Henderson High School and The University of Texas.

 Tommy Jay Strong, the younger son, married Linda Morris.  They have a daughter, Julie Ann, and a son, Bryan Scott.  Tommy is a pharmacist and is a co-owner of Willard-Strong Pharmacy in Henderson.  He graduated from Henderson High School and attended Stephen F. Austin State University and the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas, where he received his degree.  Linda is employed with the Henderson Schools as a teacher.

 Reese and Lula are now retired and reside in Henderson.

 Submitted by Reese Strong, Jr.