Clarence Elwin Strawn was born in Phillips County, Arkansas on April 24, 1934, to Clarence Coleman and Gracie Leona Helms Strawn. Raised along the Mississippi Delta as a farmer, he graduated from Elaine High School in Elaine Arkansas and served in the US Army. He married Norma Patricia Cruse on February 18, 1960, in Elaine Arkansas and they had one son, Bradley Elwin born in May 1964. Though the family lived a brief time in Elaine Arkansas and Natchez, Mississippi. Sulphur Springs Texas became their home in 1970. Elwin retired from Texas Utilities Mining Company in the early 1990’s but also owned and operated Strawn Construction from 1959 to 2018. He has built many ponds and lakes and cleared land through the years. He was proud of his work and he and Pat in recent years would often take drives to the places he had designed and cultivated. He was a long-time member and served as a deacon at Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs where he and Pat made numerous lifelong friends. Elwin was a man of faith who loved the Lord and his family. All who had an opportunity to know this gentle man with his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor quickly grew to love and appreciate him.
Elwin was welcomed into the arms of his Savior and passed peacefully at home, on Thursday, January 2 nd , 2025. He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia, son Bradley (Brad) Strawn and wife Amie of Emory, Texas. Three grandchildren and three great grandchildren, to whom he is lovingly known as Pop also survive, grandson, Bradley Coleman (Cole) Strawn and wife Kelsi of Oneonta, Alabama, granddaughter, Sidney Capri Russell and husband James of Ponder, Texas and grandson, Ethan Wyatt Strawn and wife Amber of Mt. Vernon, Texas, great granddaughters Karlee Capri and Kamryn Ryanne and great grandson Kater Cole. He is also survived by one brother, Jerrell (Peachie) Strawn and wife Cynthia of Vicksburg, Mississippi.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Opal Pickens, brothers Van Strawn, Arliss Strawn, and Justin Strawn, and a special cousin who was considered a brother, James Helms.
A Celebration of Life service honoring Elwin and Pat Strawn will be held at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, at Shook’s Chapel in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
