WAYCROSS — Mrs. Wanda Smith Strickland, 92, died Saturday afternoon, May 6, 2023 at Hospice House Satilla after an extended illness.
Mrs. Strickland was born March 10, 1931, in Brantley County to the late Cleveland Smith and Hattie Mae Dixon Smith.
She spent most of her life in Ware County. Mrs. Strickland was a graduate of Wacona High School Class of 1948. She was the former owner and operator of the Yarn Barn Fabric Store.
Mrs. Strickland spent most of her life in Ware County with the exception of the 22 years she traveled all over the world with her late husband, M.Sgt. Clois E. “Strick” Strickland, during his military service.
Mrs. Strickland was a lifelong member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, taught the Class of Love for 20 years, and was a member of the Joy Group. She also participated and was a co-founder of the ladies sewing group at Pleasant Valley Baptist church where they made dolls, blankets, and dresses for the mission field — she was an excellent seamstress.
Mrs. Strickland possessed a natural gift of painting. One of her many accomplishments was obtaining her private pilot’s license.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Strickland was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Clois E. Strickland; her daughter, Donna Strickland Glass; sisters, Yvonna Hendrix and Dorothy Cawthon; and brothers, Joel Smith and B.H. “Benny” Smith.
Survivors include two sons, Miles Strickland (wife Celia) of Brantley County, and Stanley Strickland (wife Jeanne) of Waycross; son in-law Lee Glass, (Eatonton); grandchildren, Ed Glass, Jonathan Glass (Elizabeth) Benjamin Glass (Brandi), Bradley Strickland, (Suzanne), Jenifer Erin Strickland, Chadwick Strickland (Anna) Missy Gross, Mollie Wilson (Zach), Kourtney Coats (Kimberly) and Keilah Gates; great grandchildren, Taylor Glass, McKenzie Glass, Matthew Glass, Nathan Glass, Brittany English, Tyler English, Noah Glass, Briella Glass, Marlie Kate Strickland, Skylar Smith, Alex Smith, Kaiden Gates, Kendralee Gates, Luke Wilson, Caroline Wilson, Eliza Wilson, Jordan Holton, and Noah Gross; brother-in-law, Ike Strickland; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Mrs. Strickland had wonderful and loving caregivers, Linda Lucas, Annette Moore, Kathleen Pitts, and her granddaughter, Jenifer Strickland.
A funeral service was held Friday, May 12 at the Music Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Greenlawn Cemetery.
Sympathy may be expressed by posting to her tribute wall at www.musicfuneralhome.com
Music Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements
