Anna Mae Stratton

Anna M. (Childers) Stratton, 95, of New Smyrna Beach, FL, died Monday January 5, 2026, following a short rehabilitation stay. She was born to the late Clyde Childers Sr. and Ar'Delia (Kelly) Childers, February 11, 1930, in Pikeville, Kentucky.

Anna graduated from Pikeville High School, received a BA in Education from the University of Kentucky and a master's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Dayton. She married Paul L. Stratton in 1954 in Pikeville, KY and they purchased a home in Xenia, Ohio.

After retiring in 1985, they traveled extensively before permanently relocating to New Smyrna Beach, Florida in 1999. Upon graduating from the University of Kentucky, Anna began teaching 5th grade in Pikeville. After marrying Paul, a US Air Force Employee in 1954, they had a son, Jim & moved to Xenia where Anna taught second grade and kindergarten in the Xenia City Schools for over 30 years.

Following her retirement, Anna taught for several years at Collins School, a one room schoolhouse experience for Xenia 6th graders. Anna loved traveling and visits from her family. She was a member of the Coronado Methodist Church and the New Smyrna Beach Yacht Club. She loved playing cards with her friends and hosting the monthly birthday/anniversary and annual Kentucky Derby parties at SYC. Anna was also a volunteer at Bert Fish Hospital and a very active member of the New Smyrna Beach Garden Club.

Anna was preceded in death by her infant son Jay Lee Stratton and her husband, Paul L. Stratton of New Smyrna Beach and her four brothers Clyde Childers Jr., Jack Childers, James Carl Childers, and Joe Francis Childers and her sister Lilly Marie (Childers) Roberts.

Anna is survived by her son and his wife, James P. Stratton and Susan E. (Williams) Stratton of Poland, OH; one granddaughter, Nadya A. Stratton of Morrisville, NC; and her sister-in-law, Colleen Stratton of Wilmore, KY.

A small family memorial service is being planned for this spring to coincide with the celebration of Easter.

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