Barbara Sue Strickland

Barbara Sue Strickland, 83, entered her heavenly home on August 27, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 29, 2024 in the Mexia Cemetery with Reverend Shane Norcross officiating. Coty Bounds, Austin McKinney, Dylan Gagnard, Mike Dalton, Joel Strickland, and Jonathon Bennett will serve as pallbearers. Paul Eckert will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.

Barbara was born in Vivian, Louisiana on May 10, 1941 to Roy and Pearl (Patterson) Parker. She married Russell Dale Strickland on December 27, 1966 in Marshall, Texas. They have been residents of Mexia for 30 years. She retired from Walmart after 10 years of service as a claims clerk manager.

It was evident by the way Barbara lived her life, that God and family were first and foremost in her life. She was happiest when surrounded by her family, especially, the grands and great grandkids; spoiling them was her favorite hobby. She began attending Calvary Baptist after Landmark Baptist Church closed, where she had been a longtime member.

Barbara loved going on cruises. Although she had taken 46 cruises, she was always planning, and looking forward to the next one. She also enjoyed working in the yard, planting flowers, and growing a vegetable garden.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Pearl Parker.

Barbara is survived by her husband Russell “Russ” Strickland; sons, Chris Strickland, Russell Strickland, and James Strickland and wife, Treasa (loved as a daughter); grandchildren, Christopher Strickland, Joel Strickland, Cassia Strickland, Angel Strickland, Gabby Ragatti, Breahna McKinney, Carmen Gagnard, David Flores, and Zoe Tomberlin; great grandchildren, Kelligh Gagnard, Melody McKinney, Jude McKinney, Salah McKinney, Seth Gagnard, Coty Bounds, Bella Strickland, and Mae Strickland; brother, John and wife, Tommy Parker; sisters, Julie Urige and Penny Knolty; and nieces and nephews, Jan Rogers, Sue Peugh, Bobby Urige, Rick Hamilton, Darnell Marsh, Yonvon Roberts, Ricky Parker, Mark Parker, Susan Parker, and Sharran Benneto.