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IN MEMORIUM
Mr. Marion B. Stroud 1912-1994
Marion was born in Clarke County on
the Barnett Shoals Road, Athens, GA.
He is survived by his wife, Henrietter,
two sons, Armell and Robert Louis, one
sister, Gussie Coleman, twelve grand
children, one great grandchild and many
other relatives.
Mr. Stroud was an architect, creative
designer, and business owner. He design
ed and built seven houses, two business
buildings, on the Stroud’s Estate, on the
Barnett Shoals Rd. Marion also design
ed and built many other homes in Athens
and surrounding counties.
Marion B. Stroud was known by many
people, all over Georgia, as the owner
and operator, of the “House of Blue
Lights”. During the late 40s, 50’s, 60’s
and 70s, the House of Blue Lights, one
of the very few fine night clubs in the
State of Georgia, owned by a black man,
was the place to be for people from all
over the state.
The House of Blue Lights was a
private membership club, with liberal op
portunities for the general public to come
as guest of card holding members, except
for times and activities that were reserv
ed for members only. A large number of
social clubs used Marion’s club for their
club home. Teenage clubs like the B.T.A.
club, and adult clubs like the K.T.S. were
two of many such organizations.
Top recording artists of that time, such
as Gene Allison, L.C. Cook, and Millie
Jackson were brought to the House of
Blue Lights, by top booking agents like
‘Cutie Marable. Local bands, like Armell
and The Twisters, the Grains of Sand,
The Tropics, The Imperials, and many
others enjoyed regular dates at the Blue
Lights.
As Rev. James Kendrick, (the pastor
of Friendship Baptist Church), put it,
“Marion Stroud provided us a fine place
to go to when we could not go to the
white places. It made us feel good and
proud, like we were somebody. I
remember many weddings, and other
community activities I was present and
witnessed the great generosity of Marion
Stroud.
Marion Stroud was a great role model
for men, especially black men. His
youngest son, Robert Louis, is a correc
tional officer with the state of New York.
His oldest son Marion Armell’s Stroud,
is a teacher, artist, musician, and owner
of businesses, one of which has follow
ed his father’s footsteps. ARmell’s
Hawaiian Ha-Le, now Athens finest
night club, (now scaled down for private
parties, fund raisers, and other rentals),
enjoys the same history and great suc
cess, as his father’s House of Blue
Lights.
Mr. Paul Willis Melvin Troutman
Funeral services for Mr. Paul Willis
Melvin Troutman were held on
December 10, 1994 at Hill First Baptist
Church.
Mr. Troutman was a retired industrial
arts and social studies teacher in the
Clarke County system for many years.
He was dearly loved by the students he
taught and highly respected by his
colleagues.
He was in regular attendance at Hill
First Baptist Church and was profes
sionally associated with several organiza
tions and after retirement joined the
Retired Teachers Organization. He was
also a member of the Athens Men’s Civic
Club.
He is survived by his devoted wife,
Mrs. Ritta Hawkins Troutman, two
daughters, Mrs. Runell Steed of Warner
Robins and Mrs. Bertha Rambeau of
Athens, 5 grandchildren, a godson, a
stepmother, 3 brothers, six sisters and
many other relatives and friends.
Licensed
&
Insured
Arnell White, Jr.
AWj
BUILDING &
REMODELING
From The Ground Up
142 Kevin Lane • Athens
(706) 613-6004
28
ZEBRA VOL. 3 ISSUE 1