Bonnie J Strickland

On January 24, 2023 Bonnie J. Strickland passed away peacefully after a long struggle with Alzheimers. She was born in Spring City, Tennessee to Arthur and Jean Dawson. She had two brothers, Buncky and Albert and two sisters, Marilyn and Carolyn. She was predeceased by all of them.

Bonnie graduated from Spring City High School in 1954. After graduation she married James O’Fallon, a Navy veteran of Pearl Harbor. Along with James came three step-sons, Herb, Mike and Jim. Bonnie and James were to have six kids, Patrick, Melody, Marcie, Lauren, Shane and Lance. The O’Fallons lived in Knoxville, Tennessee until 1964 when they moved to Sarasota, Florida. Bonnie and James were divorced in 1970, leaving Bonnie to raise six kids on her own. However, she would not be alone for long as she was soon to meet her knight in shining armor, Jim Strickland. She and Jim would be married until his death in 1999. Jim coached Little League baseball for 38 years in Sarasota and was a great husband and father to her children.

Bonnie worked as an interior decorator and designer until 2005 and was active in her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi and her church, First Presbyterian of Sarasota.

Bonnie is survived by her six children, Patrick and his wife, Stephanie (Litzinger), Melody Rovira, Marcie Collins, Lauren Arsenault and her husband, David, Shane and his wife, Jackie (Wagner), Lance and his wife, Eileen (Donovan); twelve grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; as well as her cousin, Denny Landreth of Meridian, Mississippi. She will be remembered as a great friend, loving mother and bright light to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

A service will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Avenue, Sarasota, Florida.

A visitation for Bonnie will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232 with a memorial service immediately following.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the Strickland family.