Willa Strickland

Mrs. Dean Thomas Strickland, 83, of Goldspring Lane, Spring, Texas, a former longtime resident of Walterboro, died Sunday evening, March 29, 2009, at Golden Years in Conroe, Texas. She was the wife of retired Colleton County Auditor the late William Glen Strickland.



Funeral services will be conducted 11 oclock Friday morning, April 3, 2009, from Bethel United Methodist Church, 355 Hampton Street, Walterboro with The Reverend Dr. A. Robert Nix officiating. Interment will follow in the family plot at Live Oak Cemetery, Jefferies Boulevard, Walterboro.



Mrs. Strickland was born October 17, 1925, in Hampton County, South Carolina and was a daughter of the late James Irvin Thomas and the late Rebecca Thomas Thomas. For many years, she along with her late husband owned and operated Strickland Dixie Dry Cleaners on Hampton Street in the Historic District of Walterboro until she sold the business following the death of her husband. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Will Goodwin Sunday School Class. A ture lady, who always presented herself in the finest manner, she will be fondly recalled for the love she possessed for her grandchildren, especially her great grandchildren, who were the joy of her life.



Surviving are: her daughter, Carol Strickland Bettes and her husband Terry of Spring, Texas; and a sister, Barbara Reed and her husband Sam of Walterboro. There are two grandchildren, Teresa Bettes Tipton and her husband Weston of Montgomery, Texas and Robert Darryl Bettes and his wife Stacy of Kennesaw, Georgia; as well as six great grandchildren, Justin Bettes, Coy Bettes, Aubreau Bettes, Brock Tipton, Carson Tipton, and Cade Tipton that also survive.



Flowers will be accepted, or for those that wish, the family has suggested that memorial contributions be directed in her memory to: Bethel United Methodist Church, Post Box 407, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488.



Messages and online condolences may be left for the family by visiting: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.



Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 8:00 Thursday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.

---