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JOHNNY
JOHN L OUIS STRAIT

“ I was always known as “The Man” in these
streets and I was for no games! I was described

as cool, fun, and funny.”

THE LEGEND ARY ...

J ohn Louis Strait is my name. Most of y’all would be hard for you guys in this world. So I taught

you to be fearless, hardworking, educated men. This
know me as Johnny, Knot, or JB. Today is
is why I was so hard on ya’ll. It was never my intent
my birthday, that’s right; April 17th, 1957
to hurt you but to only make sure you could survive
was the day a King was born in Tchula,
Mississippi. I was born to the Great Wal-
daughter, I raised you the same but harder because
ter and Elnora Strait. My beautiful and
that’s what you needed to be able stand up against
gracious mother has greeted me here in and stand on your own two feet as men. To my only
heaven. Momma had 10 kids; my oldest sister Annie those boys. I knew that I could only provide and protect
B. Miller and my oldest brother Walter Strait Jr. are you for so long so I taught you to fight (put ya hands
also here with me and momma, and they’re doing just up, cover your face), to never depend on any man be-
fine. I have three beautiful sisters Emma “Jean” Strait, sides me, to make your own money and go to school
Brunia “Louise” Strait-Williams (Walter), and Belinda and study hard. I know I pushed you too hard at times
“Lynn” Strait who I’d do anything for. Each one holds but that’s because I believed in you, I believed that
a special bond and place in my heart. I can go on for you could have been anything in the world that you
days about those girls but just know the love has al- put your mind to. I needed you to be able to survive,
ways been real. My four brothers; Lester Strait, Mar- to hang with the best of them, to not show emotion
shall “Pete” Strait, Garry Strait, and Mark Kingston we and to not fear anyone. It’s something about a girl that
have hung together, fought together, cried and laughed changed me; I let you get away with a lot, especially
together. You come for one, you come for us all. Don’t that smart mouth. But I loved you differently, I loved
forget about me now, I’m going to miss ya’ll. you so that you never had to run to a man for love and
if you did you would know what it should feel like be-
In the ‘70’s and the ‘80’s I had the time of my life. cause a father’s love endures forever. And that’s to all
I ran the halls of Murray Wright High School. I went of you, my boys and my girl. I can’t change the past but
to work for Michigan Tile & Marble Company. You see I hope that you understand and know that my love for
that marble in Somerset Mall, I did that (laughter).I ran you all is forever. I’m proud of y’all, you all grew up to
the streets, I partied hard, gambled and drunk “the best be everything I dreamed that you can be and more; sol-
of thangs”! I was always known as “The Man” in these id, independent individuals standing on your own two
streets and I was for no games! I was described as cool, feet! And not to mention most of you done made me a
fun, and funny. Everyone knew not to mess with “The granddaddy now. I have thirteen grandchildren; Nibori
Strait’s”, boy those were those days… But the best of and Legend, who preceded me in death. Neivial Myles,
these years came with fatherhood. Neivial Simpson, Nevon, Nibori, Nia, Jabari Jr., Yavin,
Ronald “Lil Ron”, Ronnie, Ronald “Fella”, Rakia, Chase.
I have 6 boys and 1 girl. Neivial Myles is my first born Three Great-Grandchildren. I have so many nieces and
son with Annie. Tywan Evans is my second oldest son nephews that I can’t count. But Tricia, Kita, Nikki, Ka-
with Linda. Ronald Witt (Tamikia) is my bonus son seenia, Michael, Marshall, Jamal and Tony was like my
with Brenda (she up here with me already getting my own. But don’t get twisted, I love y’all all.
last nerves) who also had Walter Strait, Antonio Strait
(Sarita) and Jhonita Strait-Zeigler (Louis). All of my Don’t y’all be crying for me, I’m good. I’ll see y’all
kids are my heart; you are all special to me in your own when y’all get here…. Johnny
way. Believe it or not, you all made me the man that I
am. To my boys, I made mistakes; I yelled too much, I
wasn’t around enough, and at times I pushed too hard.
But I raised you the best that I could. I knew that it