Betty D Strickland

Betty D. Strickland went to be with her Lord and Savior, peacefully, on November 16, 2022 at 97 years of age, in Auburn, Alabama.  Betty began her life on November 9, 1925, and spent most of her early life in Coden, Alabama.  In 1945, she married James N. Strickland, Jr., to whom she was married for 50 years until his death in 1995.

Mrs. Strickland was the child of Emery and Kathleen Deakle. Her siblings included a brother, Donald L. Deakle, and a sister, Gladys K. Patronas.  Her parents and siblings predeceased her.  She is also predeceased by a son, James N. Strickland III, and a great grandson, Hunter Strickland.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara S. Miller (Brasher), a son, Robert E. Strickland (Juanita), and a sister, Sherry L. Strange (Lynn, deceased), 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

Betty and J. N. made their home in Grand Bay, Alabama until 1980, when they moved to Mobile.    After her son played football at Auburn University, she always loved Auburn football, and she and her husband enjoyed football season tickets for many years.  She would get so nervous during the games, she would retreat to the ladies’ room for much of the game. In 2014, she moved to Auburn with her daughter and son-in-law.  

Betty loved life and people.  One of her passions throughout life, was her church, to which she was generous and faithful, especially Grand Bay United Methodist Church, where she was a member for many years.  She loved every one of the preachers assigned to the church and would always ask each one to “do her funeral”. She loved music of all kinds and directed choirs and sang solos, and she taught that love of music to her family – her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Singing gospel music around the piano while her daughter played was one of her most favorite times.

She also loved duplicate bridge, and played in tournaments all over the world, earning the designation of Life Master.  Many people would regularly ask her to be their bridge partner to help them win points.  She loved to play card games with her grandchildren and liked to tease them by not following the rules and they would always laugh and accuse her of “cheating”.

Betty also loved to shop for clothes and did that often.  She was regularly asked to model clothes for the Mobile Cosmopolitan Club, and she would purchase everything she modeled.

Later in life her interests turned to her 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, to whom she was generous and loving.

Her family would like to thank Bethany House in Auburn, Alabama for their tender love and care during her last days with us.  Betty has a particular passion for the United Methodist Children’s Home, now called Embrace.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to Embrace Alabama Kids, 3140 Zelda Court, Suite 100, Montgomery, AL  36106

Mrs. Strickland has been interred next to her husband in Mobile Memorial Gardens, Mobile, Alabama. A memorial service and graveside service were held November 22, 2022.  Officiating were her grandsons, Dr. Brian V. Miller and Rev. Darin S. Miller.