Mrs. Iris Jean Martin Stroman was born March 8, 1948 in Williamston, South Carolina.  She was the older of two daughters born to the late Ira and Blanche Jones Martin.  She quietly departed this life on Saturday, November 18, 2017.

She received her primary education at Caroline Elementary and Spearman High School in Williamston, South Carolina where she graduated in 1965.  Jean went on to complete higher education at (SCAT) South Carolina Area Trade School known today as Denmark Technical College in Denmark, South Carolina.  She graduated with an Associate degree in Commercial Training in Secretarial Science.  While attending SCAT, Jean and Freddie met and were destined for a life together.  They were happily married on August 29, 1969.  Together they had two beautiful daughters, Torri L. Stroman and Tamara M. Stroman. 

Jean Stroman was employed with Benedict College for over 35years as a dedicated Administrative Assistant to the colleges coveted science department.  She tirelessly worked with the team to help secure numerous federally funded grants, programs, and partnerships to include collaborations with the University of South Carolina.  Although Jean received several recognitions and awards throughout her career, she would wholeheartedly say her greatest reward was witnessing the success of students.  Her office became a sanctuary for students needing a gentle nudge and loving reassurance that they would excel. 

Jean was a God-fearing woman who dedicated her life to Christ at an early age.  Her diligence in the faith community was shown greatly by her commitment to service with the usher board, junior & senior choir, church axillary services, deaconess, and a host of ministerial committees.  Iris Jean Stroman attended Gill Creek Baptist Church in 1970.  She became an Original Charter Member of Gunter’s Chapel Baptist in 1974 (Charter signed in 1975) where she served for over 40 years.  In recent years she moved her membership to Cornerstone Baptist Church to serve as Deaconess alongside her husband Deacon Freddie Stroman, Jr.   Jean continued her longstanding commitment and dedication to both churches often stating “I will go where the Lord sends me and help where I can”.  Her innate ability to lead with a firm hand, compassion, and loving spirit, led her to open her heart and home to four young ladies and their children; Tonya Payne (Toniqua), Ladie E. Wheatley (Chloe, Ainsley, and Ryane), Rodesia Eaves (Kateland),  Denean Greene-Rivers (Erin, Brandon, Zoe, DJ, and Paige).  Jean was an adoring and devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, mentor, confidant, and so much more to many. 

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Ira and Blanche Jones Martin; sister, Shirley M. Teasley; and daughter, Torri L. Stroman.

Mrs. Iris Jean Stroman leaves to cherish her precious and loving memory: her faithful and loving husband Freddie Stroman Jr., of Columbia, SC; one daughter, Tamara M. Stroman, of Columbia, SC; one aunt, Blondell J. Andrews (Robert) who seemed like a sister, of Anderson, SC; two nieces, Ladie E. Wheatley (Michael), of Irmo, SC and Rodesia Eaves, of Atlanta, GA (cared for in the home like daughters); nephew, Kevin Brown, Greenville, SC; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Stroman Anderson (Louis), of Columbia, SC and Sylvia Stroman Jackson (Pete), of Columbia, SC who were more like sisters; 10 god-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and other living relatives and caring friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.