Aleatha Anne Strait, 78, passed away peacefully at home on March 1, 2026 in Harrisonville, PA.

Aleatha was born in Paw Paw, WV on April 6, 1947 to the late Salem Henry and L. Mae (Stull) Wilt. She was the beloved wife of David W. Strait Jr. with whom she shared 47 plus years.

Elderess Aleatha Strait was a member of The Supreme Council of The House of Jacob of the McConnellsburg mission. She was a loyal and devout Daughter of God. Through her dedication to the Lord, she attained the rank of a Junior Minister (Elderess). Elderess Aleatha served many years as the local church secretary, on occasion led the song services, and would serve in any capacity as requested.

Her working career spanned decades. She began at Sagner in McConnellsburg, PA and worked earnestly until her retirement in 2009 from Fulton County Medical Center after 37 years of dedicated service. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, sudoku, crossword puzzles, cooking, and especially time spent with her family. She was well known for her wit and smile. She liked to crochet and gift blankets to many loved ones as well as her grandchildren wrapping them all in warmth and love. 

She is survived by her loving husband, David W. Strait Jr.; seven children, Tonja R. Mellott of Chambersburg, PA, Miranda L. (wife of Tim) Strait Jr. of McConnellsburg, PA, Jeffrey R. (husband of Kim) Mellott of Needmore, PA, Katherine (wife of Charles) Foreman of Lemasters, PA, Tom I. (husband of Denise) Strait of Harrisonville, PA, Janet (wife of Tom) Krause of Needmore, PA and David W. (husband of Gail) Strait III of Hustontown, PA; one sister, Huldah M. Chesnut of Pataskala, OH; two brothers, Carroll J. Wilt of Gettysburg, PA and Joel A. Wilt of Needmore, PA. She was blessed with nineteen grandchildren: Timmy, Tasha, Ruth, Amber, Jasmine, Kirsten, Salem, Kadi, Rebecca, Paul Jr, Adam, Sarah, John, Grace, Craig, Justin, Selena, Zachary, and Haley; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; and her loyal dog, Skeeter.

In addition to her parents, Aleatha was preceded in death by four brothers, Roger H. Wilt, Clifford M. Wilt, Gary D. Wilt, N. Edward Wilt; two sisters, N. Blanche Crone, Anna L. Barbee; a son, Paul E. Strait Sr. and a granddaughter, Jasmine Alayna Rose (Strait) Osterhaus.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

At the family's request, the omission of flowers is requested.

 Arrangements were made by the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home Inc., McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.howardlsipes.com.