Billie Stricklin (3-17-13) service 3-20-13

Billie Stricklin

Billie Stricklin departed this life on Sunday, March 17, at the age of 87 years, 9 months, 22 days.

She is survived by her daughter, Beth S. Bates of Jackson, Tenn.; granddaughter, Virginia Bates of Jackson, Tenn.; three nieces, Becky Rose of Savannah, Margaret Allen and her husband Bobby of Parsons, Tenn., and Lee Ann O’Neal of Houston, Texas; two nephews, Bobby O’Neal of Enville and Danny Price and his wife Amy of Parsons, Tenn.; and several great nieces and nephews.

She was born in Sugartree, Tenn., on May 23, 1925, the daughter of the late D.R. and Maggie Price. On June 30, 1955, she was united in marriage to J.B. Stricklin, who preceded her in death on Oct. 31, 2001. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Elbert V. (Ab) Price.

Mrs. Stricklin graduated from Bethel University with a bachelor’s degree in education. She went on to teach fourth grade at Walnut Grove Elementary School for most of her 34 year career, but also taught third grade, Chapter 1 and began teaching in a two teacher school, teaching four grades at once. Teaching wasn’t limited to school. She also taught adult Sunday school for years at Cherry’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

She was a member of numerous clubs: the Family and Community Education Club, Big Ivy Club for which she was a long time president, Retired Teacher’s Association, National Education Foundation (NEA), Tennessee Education Foundation (TEA), and Jackson Area Business and Professional Women. Mrs. Stricklin was also a former Woman of the Year, former County Council President, and former Retired Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Stricklin loved to cook. She chaired the baking competition at the Hardin County Fair and was Queen of the Kitchen at the West Tennessee State Fair. She was also honored as part of the 4-H Family of the Year.

Of all her accomplishments she was known for her generosity, her sense of humor, her cooking and crafting abilities, and her devotion to her family especially her granddaughter, Virginia Bates.

Services were held on Wednesday, March 20, at 3 p.m. at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah with Don Harold Lawrence officiating. Burial followed in the Sunny Hill Cemetery at Hardin County.

Memorial donations: Sunny Hill Cemetery or the Big Ivy Community Cemetery, 760 Big Ivy Road, Savannah, TN 38372.