Mary Lou Strickland
1951 ~ 2019
Date of Death: November 27, 2019
In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Strickland family. Mary’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Veasley Funeral Home. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Ms. Mary Lou Strickland.
Sincerely,
Derrick Veasley ~ Director
Henry Veasley ~ Director
Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain
Ms. Mary Lou Halcrombe Whitworth Strickland, 68 of Wooster, Arkansas gained her heavenly wings on Wednesday morning, November 27, 2019. She was born a twin to the late sister, Sara Lou Halcrombe on July 29, 1951, in Conway, Arkansas. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Ben Berry Halcrombe and Amie (Davis) Halcrombe; two sisters, Sara Lou Halcrombe, Altha Ann Veasley Fowler and one daughter, Francis L. Stewart.
Mary professed a hope in Christ at a early age and was baptized at Pleasant Branch Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor J.R. Raynor. She was a member of the choir, she cooked for the leadership institute under Mr. Reuel Shepherd, and several other auxillaries in the church, wherever needed.
Mary attended Pine Street School, the only historical black school in Conway, Arkansas through her freshman year, when the school was closed after the graduating class of 1967. She then was bused and attended Conway Senior High School where she graduated in the class of 1970. She attended college at formerly named, SCA (State College of Arkansas), now known as UCA (University of Central Arkansas) for two years. She was employed by the University of Central Arkansas for 15 years (November 27, 1973-February 9, 1989) when due to her health, she retired. Mary united in Holy Matrimony to Clarence E. Whitworth in 1975, gave birth to two sons and inherited seven daughters who she loved and adored. She then united in Holy Matrimony to Paul Strickland.
Mary loved to listen to all types of music from gospel blues, she loved to travel, loved making flower arrangements, and decorations for special events. This was one of the hobbies and passions, as well as loving to cook. She had a set routine daily. She would get up early in the morning, make her coffee, get her cup and go out and sit on the front porch steps. She's watch the sun rise and in her words, "send up some timber asking the Lord to watch over all of us, her family". Then she'd walk around her yard checking on her many types of flowers she had grown. She loved flowers, a passion she inherited from her mother.
Mary leaves to cherish her loving memory, two sons, Clarence (Sheree) Whitworth, Jr. of Conway, Arkansas, Benjamin Samuel Morris (Kelsey) Whitworth of Menifee, Arkansas; seven daughters, Lula M. Tyus, Mildred (Sam) Mitchell, Vickie L. Whitworth, Terri Whitworth, Gwendolyn Whitworth all of Conway, Arkansas, Judith Ann (Johnnie) Lee of Fort Smith, Arkansas; four sisters, Geneva Robinson of Palo Alto, California, Bennie L. (Leon) Maxfield of Springfield, Arkansas, Annie Wardlow of Wooster, Arkansas and Cora M. Alexander of Conway, Arkansas; two brothers, William Terry Allen Halcrombe of Conway, Arkansas, Jerry (Zoe) Halcrombe of Fairfax, Oklahoma; eighteen grandchildren; twenty eight great-grand children, two great-great grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Public viewing will be held Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 12:00noon to 5:00pm at Veasley Funeral Home.
Celebration of life service will be held Friday, December 6, 2019, 1:00pm at Greater Pleasant Branch Missionary Baptist Church, 601 Spruce St., Conway, Arkansas.
Committal service and final resting place will be held at the Pilgrim Rest Cemetery, 53 Pilgrim Rest Road, Wooster, Arkansas.
