Naomi Strickland

Waynesville, Naomi Smith Strickland, age 87, died Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at Haywood Lodge and Retirement Center. Born December 9, 1920 in Philadelphia, PA, she lived most of her life in Moultrie, GA and resided in Haywood County since 1997. She was the daughter of the late George Henry and Naomi Hansberry Smith. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Elige Ervin Strickland, who died on April 11, 1998. She graduated from Mound Park Hospital Nursing School in St. Petersburg, FL and worked for 30 years as a nurse at Vereen Memorial Hospital in Moultrie, GA. In retirement, Naomi was a dedicated "Pink Lady" volunteer for 10 years at Vereen Memorial Hospital and Colquitt Regional Medical Center. She also enjoyed reading, embroidering, working in the yard, as well as traveling with her daughter and son-in-law. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Moultrie, GA. She is survived by one daughter, Myrdice S. Snyder and her husband, Ken of Clyde; one son Ervin E. "Skip" Strickland and his wife, Judy, of Moncks Corner, SC; three grandchildren, Melissa Matthews and her husband, Charles, of Moncks Corner, SC; Angela Strickland of North Charleston, SC, and Stephen Strickland of Simpsonville, SC; one great grandson, Charles Matthews, III; long time friend, Geraldine Carlton, of Warner-Robbins, GA; beloved companion, her cat, Snowball; and her "extended family," the residents and staff of Haywood Lodge and Retirement Center. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2008 at Harrell-Faircloth Funeral Home in Moultrie, GA. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. Memorials may be made to the Francis Foundation for Animals. P.O. Box 308, Hazelwood, NC 28738, Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721, or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, Canton, OH 44720