Birth Date: 09/14/1919
Deceased Date: 02/22/2021
Mildred Suddarth Strickland of Smithfield North Carolina passed away peacefully on February 22, 2021. She was born September 14, 1919 in Lebanon, Tennessee, the daughter of Wesley and Dana Covington Suddarth. She was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, W.B. “Duck” Strickland.
She taught in the Johnston County Schools for twenty-one years and operated a private kindergarten for eight years. Her former students held a special place in her heart her entire life. She was a charter member and Deaconess of Sharon Baptist Church where she taught an adult Sunday School class for many years. She was enthralled with genealogy and was a member of the Smith-Bryan Chapter of the NSDAR, a past member of the National Society of Magna Charta Dames and the Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century. She was a past chairman of the Johnston County Board of Social Services and, appointed by Governor Robert Scott, was a member of the North Carolina State Board of Education from 1969 to 1976.
She was predeceased by her sons, David and Stephen, both of Smithfield and her brother, Lt. Colonel George Suddarth of Lebanon, Tennessee. She is survived by two sons, Dana of Smithfield and Michael of Raleigh; daughters-in-law Sandra Strickland and Elizabeth Strickland; five grandchildren, Dawn Strickland of Atlanta, Georgia, Shannon Frankel and husband David of Raleigh, Jonathan Strickland and wife Lauren of Four Oaks, Emily Strickland of Raleigh, Katie Atkins and husband Michael of Denver, Colorado; and great grandchildren Wesley and Bennett Strickland, Sydney and Ryan Frankel and Sutton Atkins. She is also survived by beloved friends Susan Strickland, Frances Norris, Mary Britt, Kaye Whaley, Mary George Narron and Jean Collins. She was a proud surrogate mom to her niece, Joan Strickland Parker of Jacksonville, Florida. Mrs. Strickland cherished her family, good friends and her church.
The family would like to say special thanks to Dana Strickland, whose loyalty to and care of his Dad and Mom allowed them to enjoy living at home during their later years and to Martinea Isley of Smithfield for her compassion and friendship to Mrs. Strickland during her final years.
A Family Memorial Graveside Service will be held at Knollwood Cemetery in Smithfield, presided over by Dr. Sherrill Stevens, at 11:00 on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.
