Josephine (Alley) Straughn

Josephine Alley Straughn, 91, of Greensboro, NC passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, October 10, 2025. Her kindness, love, joy, and faith will be missed by all who knew her.

A farmer’s daughter, “Jo” was born at home in Oak Ridge, NC, to the late Ernest and Ruth Ella (King) Alley. At 22, she married the love of her life and her husband of 67 years, Bobby Straughn. They married in 1956 at the former 16th Street Baptist Church and were together until his passing last year. This church was the center of the family’s life for over 45 years and two of their sons were later married there as well. About 20 years ago, Jo and Bobby joined Rankin Baptist Church, where Jo took part in the choir, Happy Hearts, and other activities.

Josephine was a devoted homemaker, loving wife and mother. She enjoyed family vacations and celebrating milestones together in the mountains, or at the beaches where she loved to walk the shore gathering seashells (and she saved them all!)  Her favorite family trips were to the Holy Land and to Hawaii.  

Survivors include her 3 sons; Robert Dean (Marlina); Steven Len (Leslie); Samuel Andrew (Kathryn); and daughter Anita Yvonne Straughn. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Mindy, Maria, and Robert, six great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  

Jo was predeceased by all her siblings; three brothers—Herbert, Roland, William “Chester” Alley, and her sister, Mary Lou Smith.

A celebration of her life will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Rankin Baptist Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday prior to the church service.  The private family interment will take place at Oak Ridge Methodist Cemetery, where she will be next to her husband and parents.  She is at peace in Heaven, rejoicing with family and friends.

 Memorials may be directed to Rankin Baptist Church, 3317 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405.  

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