EVELYN BUIE STRICKLAND

Evelyn Buie Strickland, 88, went to be with her Lord Jesus on July 29, 2013 in a local healthcare center. Evelyn was a life-long resident of Bay County, where she and her beloved husband Loyce D. Strickland raised their 4 children. Her passion was working with children and teaching them the Bible. She taught kindergarten and was supervisor of the preschool and daycare programs at Panama City Christian for 35 years, as well as having a daycare program in her home for several years. There are many parents who have expressed appreciation to Mrs. Strickland over the years for the positive influence she had in the lives of their children. As well as being a key influence in young children's education, she was also an avid member of the church. She was a charter member at Central Baptist church where she taught a Ladies' Sunday school class. In her later years, she attended Fellowship Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Duncan and Ophelia Annette Buie; as well as her sister, Juanita Thomas; her husband, Loyce David Strickland; son, Richard Allen Strickland, daughter, Lydia Joy Hughes; and granddaughter, Kimberly Lyn Culbreth. She is survived by her son, Jerry David Strickland and wife Wanda Strickland; daughter, Gayle Annette Lynch and husband Alex Lynch; 12 grandchildren, Marlean K. Strickland, Jared Phillips, Richard Strickland, Guy Strickland, Teri Henry, Parrish Strickland, David Rippy, Marti Rippy Crim, Evelyn Hogan, Jim Strickland, Ethan Hughes, and Victoria Lynch; as well as 13 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Marty Martin and Rev. Guy Strickland officiating. Interment will follow at Bayou George Cemetery, which was originally part of her great grandfather, John Lindsay Grant's estate during the Civil War. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 6 – 8 p.m. Active pallbearers will be her grandsons. Those desiring may make memorial donations to Covenant Hospice, 107 W 19th Street, Panama City, FL 32405 in memory of Evelyn Strickland.

Wilson Funeral Home