Mr. Ollie Strickland, Jr.

Obituary For Mr. Ollie Strickland, Jr.

Mr. Ollie Strickland, Jr Obituary

Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Ollie Strickland, Jr., of Decatur, GA, will be Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 3:00PM; Willie A. Watkins Historic West End Chapel, 1003 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SW., Atlanta, GA, 30310.

Final arrangements entrusted to Willie A. Watkins Historic West End Chapel. (404) 758-1731.

Obituary

Heaven has gained one of its brightest spirits.

Ollie Strickland Jr., beloved brother, husband, father, and grandfather, transitioned on Sunday,
August 24, 2025, at his cherished home of 48 years in Decatur, Georgia.

Born in Decatur to Ollie Strickland and Ovie Fowler Strickland on December 20, 1936, Ollie
Junior lived a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion to his family. Shortly after marrying his
Herring Street High School sweetheart, Geneva D. Radford, in 1956, Ollie proudly served in the
United States Air Force Reserve until his honorable discharge in 1963. Together, Ollie and
Geneva raised three beautiful daughters—Charissee, Kim, and Jill—while filling their home with
warmth, music, and laughter.

Ollie liked exploring Atlanta’s neighborhoods, taking beach vacations, and going on cruises, but
his greatest joy was being with the people he loved. Whether over a hot southern breakfast, a big
Sunday dinner, or his famous BBQ ribs and fried chicken made just right, Ollie’s table was
always open. If you knew Ollie, you knew that food, music, and family were at the heart of his
joy. No one left his house hungry, and everyone left smiling. He welcomed every guest like
family, with a plate of home cooking, a drink in hand, and an invitation to join the fun. Weekends at the Strickland house were full of Motown, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Dean Martin. Ollie was the life of the party—singing, dancing, and pulling his daughters onto the floor to Twist, Mash, or Pony right along with him. With Geneva by his side, the two became a legendary pair, known for lighting up every room and even winning a dance contest in Jamaica at their daughter’s wedding.

Beyond his love of family gatherings, Ollie enjoyed watching golf, the Atlanta Braves and Falcons, and other sports with Geneva. He took pleasure in traveling, swimming in the ocean,
and working—something he did faithfully until the age of 80. For over 60 years, he built a career in the office supply business, most recently with Sheffield Office Products, before retiring in
2017.

But nothing brought him greater happiness than his grandchildren. Whether tossing them
playfully in the air as babies, cheering them on at games, performances, or simply showering them with love, Ollie reveled in being “Papa.” His grandchildren—and all who knew him—carry
priceless memories of his humor and unstoppable spirit.

Ollie joins his sisters, Mable Jean Crawley and Joanne Clark, as well as his oldest daughter, Charissee D. Hull (1988), in eternal rest.

His greatest joy continues in the love of his family, who now carry forward his spirit of laughter, music, and devotion.

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