Norris Strickland

NORRIS STRICKLAND Golden - Norris Strickland died October 23, 2013, at his home. He was born March 14, 1933, in Franklin County Alabama to Clinton Aubrey Strickland and Flora Elizabeth Garrison. He was a communicant of All Saints Episcopal Church in Tupelo. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1952, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was stationed in Mobile, Alabama, Iceland, Presque Isle, Bangor, Maine and Niagara Falls, New York. In 1961, he returned to Franklin County, Alabama and became a farmer and hog producer with his father and brother-in-law. In 1970, he returned to school and for the next 25 years he was a tool and die mechanic at Walker in Aberdeen and retired from Tecumseh Products in Tupelo. With his sons, Robert and Douglas, he operated a portable sawmill until his health failed. He is survived by his wife and companion of 58 years, Darcy Strickland of Golden; his children, William Strickland of Golden, Catherine Carter (Kenny) of Hamilton, Alabama, Mary Boyle (Tim) of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Margaret VanLandingham (Wayne) of New Albany, Barbara Thorn of Hamilton, Alabama, Robert Strickland (Susan) of Red Bay, Alabama, Douglas Strickland of Golden and Deborah Orrick(John) of Tupelo; twenty-three grandchildren, Anne Marie Walker, Rebecca Boeding, Katherine Pharr, Billy Strickland, Robin Mears, Richard Maggerise, Robert Boyle, Andrew Boyle, Colin Boyle, David VanLandingham, Elizabeth VanLandingham, Brittany Thorn, Briana Thorn, Elaina Strickland, Duncan Strickland, Kelly Strickland, Sophia Strickland, Ronald Strickland, Dathan Strickland, Austin Strickland, James Strickland, Josephine Orrick and John Thomas Orrick; 14 great-grandchildren, Samantha, Hailey, Hannah, Alexander, Bradley, Connor, Brayden, Sarah, Anthony "A. J. ", Landen, Will, Athena, Jase and Caleb; one brother, Willis Delbert; one sister, Shirley Draddy. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Leonard; one sister, Nell Beany; one brother, Horace Glenn Strickland. Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 26, 2013, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Tupelo. Visitation will be at the church from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Saints Brew, c/o All Saints Episcopal Church, 608 W. Jefferson Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.