Earlene McCoy Strickland

Obituary for Earlene McCoy Strickland

Earlene McCoy Strickland, 79, of Valparaiso, Indiana formerly of Blytheville departed this life on June 21, 2019 at Porter Regional Hospital in Valparaiso.

She was born February 18, 1940 in Blytheville, Arkansas and was the daughter of Willie McCoy and Abbie Bell Wallace. Earlene was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church for many years and was a graduate of Richard B. Harrison High School. Upon graduation, she attended AM&N College in Pine Bluff Arkansas, where she received her BS Degree in Home Economics, later receiving her master’s degree in Counseling from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

For many years, Earlene taught in the Memphis Public School System. Upon moving back to Blytheville, she taught in the Blytheville School District. After several years in the classroom, she was moved into the position of Director of Federal Program where she remained until her retirement in 2006, resulting 40 years in education. She was a charter member and first President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Blytheville Alumnae Chapter, Inc, a member of the National Education Association and the Arkansas Education Association of Retired Teachers, a member of the Versatile -25 Social Club, Mississippi County Chapter of the NAACP, a Sunday School Teacher at First Missionary Baptist and was a charter member of the Harrisonites, INC.

Earlene was preceded in death by her husband Bobby Strickland; a son, Theodore; her mother Annie Bell Hayes; and grandmother, Fannie Young.

She leaves to mourn her loss one daughter and son-in law, Crystal and Curtis Jackson, Jr; one son, Michael Strickland; her granddaughter, Chloe, and her grandson Curtis III all of Ogden Dunes, Indiana; one aunt, Jimmie Cage and a cousin, Ted Cage, Jr, both of Blytheville, Arkansas and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 11:00 am at First Missionary Baptist Church, 600 East McHaney Street, Blytheville, Arkansas where Reverend Odale Jones is the pastor.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 noon at First Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Odale Jones will deliver the eulogy, and burial will follow at Whiteside Cemetery in Osceola.

McDonald-Horne Funeral Home is in charge of all services and arrangements.

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