Michael Strobridge

Chief Michael Strobridge, 67, of Swainsboro passed away Saturday, January 4, 2025, at WellStar Medical College of Georgia. He was born on December 3, 1957, to the late Napoleon Strobridge and Daisy Love Jones Strobridge. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Strobridge was born and raised in Swainsboro.  He was a Swainsboro High School graduate.  Mike was not your typical teenager.  At the age of 14, he spent countless hours at the fire department which was located at the back of the old City Hall on the boneyard.  Mr. Strobridge later attended Gupton Jones Mortuary school in Atlanta.  After graduation, Mike returned home where he picked up his passion for serving the community.   He became the first African American firefighter in Emanuel County and one of the first EMTs.  Mike would leave one public service job and go to the next for many years.  He would always say “Paramedics save lives and EMTs save Paramedics.”  Mr. Strobridge joined various organizations such as the Saint Philip Lodge #96, Swainsboro Country Club, Pin Hi Golf Association, Sons of the American Legion, and Greater Saint James Missionary Baptist Church.

In 2003 Mike became Chief Strobridge.  Mr. Strobridge always had a plan to make things better.  He was able to reduce insurance rates for homeowners, get better equipment, and better training for all the staff and volunteers.  Chief Strobridge gave 53 years of public service to the community and will be deeply missed. He was a member of Greater Saint James Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include his fiancé, Sandra Davis of Albany; sons, Derrick Gilmore of Washington, DC, Terrance Andrews of Statesboro, Christopher Jones and Shannon Wadley of Swainsboro; sisters, Dorothy Jenkins of Albany, and Patricia Williams of Savannah; 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 11, 2025, in the Swainsboro City Auditorium at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Melvin Adams officiating.

Interment will be at Swainsboro City Cemetery following the service with full firefighter's honors.

The family will receive friends Friday, January 10, 2025, at Chapman Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Pallbearers will be the Swainsboro Fire Department and Dublin Fire Department Honor Guard.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Emanuel County Rural Fire, Swainsboro Police Department and Emanuel County Public Safety.

Family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation at 2575 Chantilly Dr NE, Atlanta GA 30324 or the Pin Hi Golf Association at PO Box 1652, Swainsboro Ga 30401.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Chief Michael Strobridge, 67, of Swainsboro.