Patricia (Patty) Lou Strickland

Patrica (Patty) Lou Strickland passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 12, 2023. She was surrounded by family as she passed from this earthly world into the pearly gates of Heaven. A Memorial Service will be held at St John United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 9th, at 11:00 AM, with The Reverend Jenny Anderson, Pastor Mark Maund and The Reverend Gary Dean officiating. The family will greet guests in the sanctuary prior to the service. Lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Patty was raised in Enid, OK by her paternal Grandmother. She graduated from Enid Business College and married Claude Oren Turner in 1955. They moved to Houston, where she worked for an independent oil company. They moved to Laurel, Mississippi where Claude received a “call” to ministry. They moved to Atlanta, GA where Claude attended Seminary at Emory University. Patty worked in several churches and various other jobs while they lived in Atlanta, GA. Their next move was to Augusta, GA where Claude served as Senior Minister of Asbury United Methodist Church. During this time, Patty began working in a retirement home, St. John Towers. Claude passed away in 1981. After his death, Patty continued to work at St. John Towers where she moved up to Administrator in 1985. During this time a friend introduced her to Charles “Curt” Strickland. They married in 1989 and combined their families. Patty retired from St. John Towers in 2000. Curt and Patty began training as disaster volunteers for the American Red Cross. They both served during 911 at Ground Zero, the crematory in North Georgia, a hurricane in Smithfield, VA, G-8 Conference in Sea Island, GA and lastly Hurricane Katrina. In 2012, they were presented with the Augusta Chapter, Spirit of the Red Cross Hero Award. Patty’s community involvements include: District Council on Ministries of the United Methodist Church (August District, Chair); North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church (Delegate at Large and Conference Council on Ministries); Chair of Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee of St. John UMC; Leadership Augusta (Class of 1987, current Alumni); Board of Directors Better Business Bureau; Member of the Augusta Chamber of Commerce; Member of Historic Augusta; Board of Directors and Member at Large, Georgia Association of Homes & Service for the Aging; Local and National Disaster Volunteer for the American Red Cross; Screening Panel for the United Way Augusta; Member of Women in Business; Board Member of the Senior Citizens Council; Special Task Force Member for Augusta Urban Ministries; Past President and Member of Senior Enrichment Association, Augusta; Board of Elections, Columbia County and Richmond County. Augusta District Church Leadership: Associate District Lay Leader; Board of Laity; Member of Finance Committee; Member of the Board of Trustees; Co-Chair of the Annual Conference in Augusta, 2002; District Director of Lay Speaking Ministries for more than 10 years; At-Large Lay Delegate for 22 years. North Georgia Conference Leadership: Conference Council on Ministries; Committee on Adult ministries, for 8 years; Secretary, Sub-Committee on Older Adult Ministries for 8 years; Member Board of Pensions for 8 years; Conference Committee on Lay Speaking Ministries for more than 10 years. Patty was proceeded in death by loving husbands Claude Oren Turner and Charles “Curt” Strickland. Patty is survived by her daughters, Teri Lynn Shepherd (Guyton William Shepherd, III) and Mindy Turner Horn (Mark Warren Horn); Sons, Robert Strickland (Beth Strickland) and Steve Strickland. Grandchildren, Kris Shepherd, Bryan Horn, Caroline Horn, Jackson Strickland, Ava Strickland, Ben Strickland, Heather Best, Andrew Best and Jacob Best. Great-Grandchildren, Paisley Shepherd and Wyatt Shepherd. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St John United Methodist Church, 736 Greene St., Augusta, GA 30901 or St. John Towers Endowment Fund, 724 Greene St., Augusta, GA 30901 or the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org/donate/donation. Chance and Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, GA 30906 www.chanceandhydrick.com

Patricia (Patty) Lou Strickland

August 30, 1936 - August 12, 2023