James Strickland
Passed 03/24/2022
A service honoring his life will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 12 noon in the Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel. Visitation will begin at 11:30 am.
James Claudy Strickland was born February 16, 1928 in Guilford County, North Carolina to the late Jerry Marshall Strickland and Hannah Spinks. He was raised in Piney Ridge Randolph County. He left North Carolina at the age of 15 and moved to New York City. There he met the late Doris Rushin and they were married in January 30, 1948. They had four children, Barbara Strickland-Berry, the late James Strickland, Martin Strickland and Diane Strickland-Williams.
He was a family man who when he had time off would take his children on outings to drive-in movies, picnics and crabbing. While living in New York James Claudy worked very hard to give his family everything they needed. He became a chef and restaurant manager and sometimes worked three jobs at once. He also owned and operated a cafeteria in the Brooklyn Navy Yard where he fed 1500 people a day. When he returned to North Carolina, he worked for the Guilford Technical Community College where he taught cooking to prisoners. He was an inspiration to many of the men that he taught. One of them stated that he turned his life around because of James. He also worked as a home healthcare aid until he was in his 80’s.
On Thursday March 24, 2022, James passed away at Cone Hospital after a gradual decline in his health. He was a religious man who went to many churches in the area. He spent his final days in the hospital singing praises to the Lord.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter Barbara Strickland Berry of Jamaica, New York, his son Martin A. Strickland of Greensboro, North Carolina, his daughter Diane Strickland-Williams of Houston Texas, his son-in-law Charles Berry, three grandchildren Daniel Berry, Jocelyn Peoples and Jasmine Williams and seven great grandchildren, a niece Doris Mantanona and many other family and friends.
Livestream: Perryjbrownfuneralhome.com
Professional services are entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.