Seminary

Dr. Ray Strebeck

Funeral Services for Dr. Ray Strebeck will be at 3:00 pm Sunday at Seminary Baptist Church. Dr. Strebeck was 85 years of age and passed away from this life Friday, June 17, 2016, in Hattiesburg. The Reverend Dr. Tim Hubbard, Reverend Dr. Dean Register, and Reverend Frank Bishop will officiate. The Musical Service will be offered by Dr. Melanie Hubbard, Mr. Jared Hester, and Ms. Sylvia Hughes. Interment will be in the Seminary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Wade Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Walter Ray Strebeck was born on September 8, 1930 in Springfield, LA, to Walter William Strebeck and Lula Olevia Richardson Strebeck.

Dr. Strebeck was a graduate of William Carey University, The University of Southern Mississippi, and West Florida University. Dr. Strebeck served in many capacities as a professional educator, including principal and superintendant of various school districts, Department Chair at William Carey University-Gulf Coast, and he was Mississippi's First Conservator of a school district.

He authored a book about his experiences entitled "Diary of Mississippi's First Public School Conservator" and published a second volume in 1998. Dr. Strebeck's love of education culminated in his tenure on the Covington County School Board.

Ray Strebeck was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served in the Korean War.

Dr. Strebeck was a Superintendant of Sunday School, Chairman of the Deacons, a Sunday School Teacher and a Choir Member at Seminary Baptist Church. He was an ordained minister and served as Pastor or Interim Pastor at Williamsburg Baptist Church, Seminary Baptist Church, and Cold Springs Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be John Hughes, Ronnie Strebeck, Ronnie Graves, Bob Berrell, Patrick Berrell, and Don Beard. Jeffery Hughes will serve as Honorary Pallbearer.

Dr. Strebeck was preceded in death by his father and mother; 1 sister, Virginia Dale; and 3 brothers, Franklin Dewitt Strebeck, Karl Carter Strebeck, and Rev. David Earl Strebeck.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Bessie Jean Landers Strebeck; 1 son, Walter Ronald Strebeck of Collins; 2 daughters, Sylvia Ann Strebeck Hughes and her husband John Hughes of Pearland, TX, and Debra Jean Strebeck Vasquez and her husband Rodrick of Ozark, AL; 1 brother, Jim Strebeck; 2 sisters, Mary Olevia Morton and Nancy Ruth Strebeck; 4 sister-in-laws, Renette Strebeck, Maxine Strebeck; Betty Strebeck, and Ann Strebeck; 2 grandchildren, Jeffrey Michael Hughes and Rebecca Noel Higginbotham; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Saturday from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Wade Funeral Home and Sunday from 2:00pm until service time at Seminary Baptist Church.