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STROM - JONES
Similarities drew couple together
The old saying that opposites attract didn't hold true when Sam and Martha Strom met at Duke University in 1941. The fact is, the Stroms think they fell in love because they are so similar.
"We were so much alike in our thinking, in our spiritual life, our ambitions and interests," Martha said. Today, the Stroms are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Both are former educators and Strom is also a retired business owner.
Sam grew up in Ward, the son of Robert Pettigrew Strom and Carrie Corley Strom. He graduated from Mars Hill College and Furman University before entering Duke, where he earned his master's degree.
Martha grew up in Lakeland, Ga., the daughter of Lynn and Mattilu Jones. She received a bachelor's degree from Georgia State Woman's College and did graduate studies at USC and Duke before her marriage.
The Stroms met at a party in the gymnasium at Duke. "I fell for her," Sam said. "I said, 'There is my wife, right there. That is the girl I want to marry.'"
Martha said she was attracted to Sam's good looks and manners. "And I liked his vocation," she said. "We were both teachers."
On June 14, 1942, the Stroms were married at her parents' home in Lakeland. The United States was at war and gas was being rationed. There wasn't enough fuel for a honeymoon. "I put a five-gallon can full of gas in the car in case I couldn't get any more," Sam said. "Our honeymoon was getting back to South Carolina."
In all, Martha taught eight years in Georgia and South Carolina and Sam worked as principal of Gray Court-Owings High School for four years and for 11 years at Woodruff High School.
After World War II, Sam decided to go into business for himself. "Two friends had Western Auto businesses and said it was a wonderful company to be with," he said. "I made an application for a franchise. There could only be one to a town and Union was open at that time."
The Stroms moved to Union in 1945 and Sam opened Western Auto on Main Street. The couple became active in the community. He served as a member and officer of the Downtown Merchants Association and with the Chamber of Commerce. He was president of the Union Lions Club and a member for 40 years.
He was named Lion of the Year in 1977-78. He has been a member of First Baptist Church for 56 years, was Sunday School superintendent, taught the young people and adult classes, was a choir member, is a life deacon and was a member of the building committee for the present church sanctuary from 1952-1954. He also served for 17 years on the Union County School Board.
Martha is past regent of the Daughters of the American Legion, a member of the Colonial Dames, was chairman of the Union County Beautification Committee and was a president and leader with the Girl Scouts. She was chairman of the March of Dimes, and member of the Union Garden Club. Her church activities include serving as teacher, pianist and choir member. She served as WMU director at First Baptist and the Union County WMU. Their three children have been a source of great joy, the Stroms said.
Carolyn Strom Collins is an author in St. Paul, Minn.; Beth Strom is administrator of the downtown revitalization program in Midway, Ky., and Thad is a regional representative with the South Carolina Education Lottery. The Stroms have five grandchildren: Caroline, Drew, Trey, Trevor and Claire. After Sam's retirement in 1975, the couple made up for the traveling they didn't get to do on their honeymoon. They have been to Israel, seven countries in Europe, Canada and 46 of the 50 states. They also wrote a book together, "The Stroms of South Carolina, 1765-1983."
To compile the family history, they traveled all over the states spending countless hours in courthouses and graveyards. Martha and her sister also are compiling a book of their family's history. The past 60 years have been fun and have gone by quickly, the Stroms said. Once when someone asked Martha how long she had been married to her husband she replied, "Not long enough." "That says it all," she said.
Beth Strom said her parents have always been supportive and encouraging. "They set good examples, not only as parents, but also by being active in the community and giving back to the community," she said. "They have cheerful, positive attitudes and their loving relationship sets a good example for their children and grandchildren to follow.
It is a real accomplishment to have stayed together 60 years and they still find joy with one another and are able to share experience and wisdom with those around them." Married 60 years Sam and Martha Strom are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today. Second anniversary This photo of Sam and Martha Strom was made on their second wedding anniversary.
By ANNA BROWN
