Birth Date: 06/25/1933
Deceased Date: 10/13/2023
Selma- Martha Jean Strickland Grady, age 90, is now soaring with the angels and singing in the heavenly choir. She went to be with her Lord and savior on Friday, October 13, 2023. Martha was born June 25, 1933, in Johnston County to the late William Henry and Mamie Beddingfield Strickland. In addition to her mother and father, she is also preceded in death by her loving, Christian husband, Alton Claude (A.C.) Grady of 21 years. Martha’s siblings that preceded her in death; Josephine S. Bryant, James Clyde (J.C.) Strickland, Donald Milford Strickland and Lois Mae Strickland Davis.
Martha was a member of Carter’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where she was a faithful servant of Christ, serving in her church in many different capacities. Martha did not have any children of her own, but she shared her love by being the youth leader for several years. She was a Sunday School teacher, a choir director, a member of WMU serving as a mission’s leader, wrote and directed several Christmas programs, and served as the first deaconess at the church. Also, she shared her home for several church activities; kite flying, fishing and camping trips, New Years celebrations, bible studies, youth meetings, planned retreats, teas, and bridal lunches.
Martha was an avid gardener, loved plants and flowers, and had a “green thumb”. She could grow anything! She would decorate in her church for weddings and many other special occasions. Martha loved her church family and she was very thankful for all that her church did for her over the years.
Another special time she shared was spending time quilting with the country church quilters. She loved every stitch and time she quilted with these dear ladies. Martha retired from Walter Kidde, Inc., she enjoyed working there.
Martha is survived by brothers, William (Bill) Yates Strickland and wife Joyce of Selma, NC; Jerry Wayne Strickland and wife Libby of Byrdstown, TN; and sisters, Elizabeth S. Pearce of Chesapeake, VA; Gwendolyn S. Bracknell of Winston Salem, NC; Joyce S. Edmundson of Fremont, NC; and sister-in-law, Lois B. Strickland of Selma, NC. She is also survived by several special nieces, nephews and adopted family; Greg and Lori Dixon, their daughters and families, and Robert (Bob) Bousmaha.
A visitation will be held at Carter’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 18, from 10:00-11:00 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the Carter’s Chapel Church Cemetery.
Flowers are welcomed, or memorial contributions may be made to Carter’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Greg Dixon, 965 Garner Road, Selma, NC 27576.
