Claude Strickland

Mr. Claude Coleman Strickland , age 95, passedaway on the morning of Friday, December 14 th , 2018 at his home inKingsland, Ga. with his beloved wife, daughter, and two granddaughters by hisside.



Mr. Strickland was born December 2 nd ,
1923 in Blackshear, Ga. to the late Clarence and Oner Crews.



His family said of him, “Claude Coleman Strickland was a gentle, loving,
and kind spirit. He always had a smile on his face and lived to make those
around him happy. He had a protector’s heart and a giving hand. Mr. Strickland
was an entrepreneur and succeeded in building a loving and safe home for his
family with hard work and the companionship of his pride and joy, Ruth L.
Strickland. Mr. Strickland was proud of many things, but he’d agree that his
bride was his greatest accomplishment. He was always bragging on her and wanted
the whole world to know that he was the luckiest man alive. He cherished her
and he built his kingdom around their love. Together, they established a loving
foundation for those in their life to walk upon. Ruth was a widow from WWII
with two young boys, Carl and Jerry. Claude’s first thought when he heard that
Carl and Jerry’s father had been killed in the war was who would help to raise
the children. He made up his mind that when he got back from the war he would
look Ruth up and ask her to marry him. They were married on Oct. 30 th
1947. He carried a photo in his wallet to this day of a picture that she had
sent to him while he was stationed with the Navy. Their love was pure, honest,
and true. They worked together as a team and never had a fight. They truly were
the wind beneath each other’s wings and they raised their family with the same
love and kindness. They were blessed with two more children, Dennis and Cathy.
Music and nature were two important themes running through the veins of his
life. He grew up a farmer that learned to live off the land, making a living
out of what he had. He would entertain himself with music and have gatherings
of his closest friends to come over and pick and play. A homemade meal from the
garden, a night full of pickin’ and grinnin’, and hugs from those he loved
would always leave him bursting with joy. He was no stranger to hardship, yet
always had a hopeful and faith filled heart. He never let life drag him down
and together, he and his wife, always looked to the sunny side. He lived a life
of gratitude, grace, and celebration. Claude left some steady footprints for
the rest of us to follow. He will always be remembered with a warm heart and a
smile.”



Mr. Strickland is survived by his beloved wife,
Ruth Strickland of Kingsland, Ga.; his son, Jim (Sara) O’Neal of McDonough,
Ga.; his daughter, Cathy S. Passarella of Kingsland, Ga.; his sister, Kathleen
Holloway of Fernandina Beach, Fl.; his brothers, Alvin (Peggy) Strickland of
Patterson, Ga. and Jimmy Strickland of Fernandina Beach, Fl.; his
grandchildren, Shannon, Deanna, Claudia, Carla, Todd, Brian, and Jody; his 15
great grandchildren, his 3 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces,
nephews, and cousins.



Calling hours for the family will be from 2 pm – 3
pm Sunday, December 16 th , 2018 at Coastal Camden Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will follow at 3 pm in the Woods-Wainwright Chapel of the
funeral home with Pastor Vernon Dillingham presiding. Interment will follow at
Lawnwood Cemetery in Kingsland, Ga. Pallbearers will be Trevor Readdick, Ryan
Kenton, Frank Kenton, Gary Byrd, Jerry Foster, and Danny Mobbs. Honorary
Pallbearers will be the Sunday School Class of the Kingsland First Baptist
Church.



December 2, 1923 – December 14, 2018