Carol Welch Strandburg

Carol Welch Strandburg, longtime resident of Perry, doting wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 14, 2022. She was 72 years old.

Carol was born in Syracuse, New York on April 28, 1950 to the late Dorothy Esther (Wood) and Francis James Welch. She was a 1972 graduate of Syracuse University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in music education. In that same year, she also married the love of her life, Gary Strandburg.

After spending several years traveling the country together during Gary’s military service, the Strandburgs found a home in Perry, Georgia. Carol devoted herself to raising her family and supporting her children in every way she could as they grew up. At the same time, Carol also dedicated a career to serving the families of Houston County as a caseworker for the Department of Family and Children’s Services, from which she retired after many years.

Raised with a profound commitment to her faith, Carol was an active member of Saint Patrick Catholic Church since 1979. She served in the church’s music ministry for many decades not only as a cantor, but also starting and directing the children’s choral program.

In addition to her church, Carol was a staple of the Middle Georgia theatre community. From acting to directing, singing to making hats (she made hundreds of them) and everything in between, Carol had a passion for the theatre. She was a founding member of the Perry Players Community Theatre, where she played an integral and impactful part in building up the organization both on and off the stage. Carol was also a frequent musical director for Macon Little Theatre for more than a decade. She felt that all shows were as important as they were unique. Carol took great pride in working with people who had no experience and “bringing out in others what they didn’t know they had in them.” She had a true talent for captivating an audience and adored the time she was able to spend with her family and friends bringing a story to life under the stage lights.

Left to cherish her memory is her beloved husband of fifty years, Gary Strandburg; children, Daniel P. Strandburg, Mark A. Strandburg (Haley), Megan Strandburg Sapp (Benjamin); grandchildren, Jack, Preston, Finn, Evan, Frank and Lew; brothers, James Welch (Mary Beth), Paul Welch (Jennifer) and Jeffery Welch (Kimberly); dear friend of many years, JoAnn Aaron; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her parents, Carol is preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Lewis and Barbara Strandburg. Carol always lit up the room as only she could, and she has left an irreplaceable handprint on our hearts.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 2410 GA-127, Kathleen, Georgia 31047. A funeral mass will be held in the sanctuary of Saint Patrick Catholic Church on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 12:00pm. Interment will be private. Carol’s wish was that you might make a donation in her memory to Perry Players Community Theatre, 909 Main Street, Perry, Georgia 31069.

Learn about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.