Birth Date: 08/21/1925
Deceased Date: 08/21/2022
Lloyd Lamuel Strickland, age 97, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Smithfield Manor Nursing Home. Born in Johnston County on August 21, 1925, he was the son of the late Julius Lamuel Strickland and Lola Mae Baker Strickland.
Lloyd graduated from Smithfield High School, and he joined the Marine Corps in 1943 serving until 1946 in the Pacific theater with the second battalion. He was in the second wave of Marines landing on Iwo Jima; and he participated in the occupation of Japan and the action at Saipan, Tinian, and the Marianas Islands. Lloyd also served as a Drill Sergeant at Paris Island from 1950-1951 during the Korean Conflict. In 1986, he retired from CSX railroad as a Train Master in Wilson with forty years of service, having worked in the Smithfield, Spring Hope, Selma and Wilson offices.
Lloyd proudly served his community and his church including membership and leadership roles in Jaycees, Lion’s Club, Chamber of Commerce, Housing Authority Board of Directors, American Legion, and Boy Scouts.
His faith and the Episcopal Church were central in his life, and he served as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, choir member, vestry member, lay reader, member of the Brotherhood, and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels at St. Paul’s in Smithfield and St. Timothy’s in Wilson. In his free time, Lloyd enjoyed reading, playing golf, and dancing. Most of all, he loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 26, at 2 PM in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Smithfield. A reception will follow at the church.
In addition to his parents, Lloyd is preceded in death by his sister, Jean Strickland Lockamy.
Surviving are his devoted wife of 71 years, Ruth Godwin Strickland of Smithfield, NC; daughters, Deborah Strickland Attayek and husband Ned of Smithfield, NC; Jennifer Strickland Griffin and husband Sidney of Emerald Isle, NC; sister, Bobbie Mae Wright of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Al Griffin and wife Jenna of Owasso, OK; Jenna Davis and husband Chuck of Rougemont, NC; Mary Elizabeth Rives and husband Jefferson of Charlotte, NC; great grandchildren, Charleston Ruth Davis and Strickland Wade Davis, Henry Lloyd Griffin and Clark Wallace Griffin, Jefferson Hill Rives III, George Baker Rives, and John Fenner Rives.
Lloyd will be remembered as a dedicated man of God and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 218 South Second Street, Smithfield, NC 27577.
