Duffey Strode now: How the former street preacher's life has changed
In the past, preachers like Duffey Strode were embroiled in controversy in one way or another. The controversial personality has significantly shaped the religious landscape, stirring heated debates and discussions. But where is Duffey Strode now?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Duffey Strode is a renowned American former street preacher who rose to fame at age ten thanks to his controversial preaching style. His sermons were characterized by bellowing rote-learned excerpts from the Bible, especially those pertaining to sin and hell.
Duffey Strode’s profile summary
| Full name | Ryan Duffey Strode |
| Nickname | Duffey Strode |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 25 May 1977 |
| Age | 46 years old |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini |
| Place of birth | North Carolina, USA |
| Current residence | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Mother | Robin Strode |
| Father | David Strode |
| Siblings | Two (Pepper and Matthew Strode) |
| Relationship status | Divorced |
| Ex-partner | Kim Ellington |
| Children | Two |
| School | Eastfield Elementary School |
| Profession | Former street preacher |
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Who is Duffey Strode?
He is a former street preacher. He was born on 25 May 1977 in the United States to Robin and David Strode. He was raised in North Carolina with his younger sister, Pepper Strode, and his brother, Matthew Strode.
Duffey Strode's father was a street preacher. During his career as a preacher, he was arrested numerous times for preaching on the streets. Duffey’s parents were homophobic and anti-Catholic in their beliefs.
After his father was arrested five times, Duffey Strode's family relocated from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to Marion, North Carolina.
How did Duffey Strode become famous?
Duffey and his family became popular in 1988 when they made national headlines. According to the New York Times, Duffey was 10, Pepper was 6, and Matthew was only five when they started preaching outside Eastfield Elementary School, where they were educated.
When confronted by the media, Duffey’s father defended his children, saying that the trio's preaching was necessitated by the need for the following in public schools:
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- Racial integration
- The teaching of evolution
- Sex education
The trio's style of preaching consisted of shouting at their schoolmates Bible verses about sin and Christians's view of hell. During the 1987/1988 school year, the former child preacher was suspended five times from school.
Unfortunately, parents and other town members couldn't tolerate the kid's behaviour. As a result, in May 1988, five hundred Marion residents signed a petition asking Duffey’s family to either obey the Eastfield Elementary School rules or move out of town.
According to Word Press, Duffey started appearing on various television shows in the summer of 1988. They included:
- The Oprah Winfrey Show
- Larry King Live Show
- Sally talk show
In addition, at least 14 other TV talk show hosts sought to interview the preaching kids. The hosts wanted a glimpse into the lives of the individuals causing a lot of controversy in their North Carolina mountain area.
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During the first day of the 1988/1989 school year, after the heavily publicized controversy and TV appearances, Duffey was suspended for telling the school head to go to hell.
Eventually, Duffey’s parents carved into the demands of the parents, town's people and school administration. After countless suspensions from school and half a year of media attention, the trio's parents agreed to keep the kids away from school for homeschooling.
Duffey Strode's career ventures
When Duffey turned 16, he started working at a Wendy's fast-food restaurant, where he was exposed to secular influences. To his family's shock, he started wearing his hat backwards and listening to popular music.
According to Greensboro News and Record, preacher David Strode spoke about their son's change of behaviour, revealing:
It all started four years ago when Duffey turned 16 and got a job making hamburgers at the local Wendy's. He started wearing one of those gold chains, which I don't like. Then he'd come in with his baseball cap on backwards.
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In June 1997, he left home and went to live with one of his punk rocker friends. In disbelief and disappointment, Duffey’s family didn't speak to him for ten months. By 2003, he had fully transitioned from preaching to working in a factory.
Duffey Strode's wife and children
While still working at Wendy's, Duffey started dating Kim Ellington. She was a shy girl who attended the New Manna Baptist Church, where Duffey and his family had been thrown out years before. In November 1997, Duffey and Kim tied the knot.
They exchanged their wedding vows at the Marion Community Centre, where Duffey’s family once faced numerous angry townspeople while filming The Sally Jessy Raphael Show. Duffey was 20 while Kim was 19 when the duo tied the knot.
Unfortunately, his parents and younger siblings didn’t attend his wedding. The duo welcomed two children. However, there are no details about Duffey and Kim's children, such as their names, dates of birth, ages, and current whereabouts.
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What happened between Duffey and Kim? Unfortunately, the duo ended their union in 2020 after being together for 23 years. Why did Duffey Strode and Kim Ellington get a divorce? Neither Duffey nor Kim came out to reveal the reason behind their separation.
Duffey Strode's salary and net worth
What is Duffey Strode's net worth? Unfortunately, the former preacher has not revealed how much he is worth. In addition, with his current career and business ventures unknown, it isn't easy to estimate his worth. Also, there are no details about his annual or monthly salaries.
Where is Duffey Strode now?
Unfortunately, the former street preacher's whereabouts remain unknown. Duffey was only popular as a child but has remained under the radar since marrying and later divorcing Kim. As a result, it is not clear whether he is still preaching or has chosen a different career path altogether.
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Duffey Strode's fast facts
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Final word
Where is Duffey Strode now? The former street preacher has remained away from the limelight. He rose to fame in the 1980s as a street preacher with a bold and unconventional style of delivering his sermons. His preaching was usually controversial due to the message content and his direct approach.
Tuko.co.ke shared an article about Maple Batalia's cause of death. She was taking a health science course at Simon Fraser University but already had a promising career as a model and actor.
Maple Batalia had appeared in The Secret Circle and Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. She made headlines in 2011 after she was shot and stabbed on her college campus. She was preparing to attend tryouts for the Central City Model Search.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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