Julia Arbuthnot Strickland

STRICKLAND, JULIA BARRON ARBUTHNOT, age 88, of Mountain Brook, died July 23, 2020. Julia was born February 5, 1932, to Joseph Whitsitt Arbuthnot and Fanny Perry Marshall Arbuthnot of Marion, Alabama. Julia's early years were spent in Marion -- a place that was always special to her. The family moved to Montgomery in 1942. Julia attended Cloverdale Elementary and Junior High School, and graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1949. In 1953, she graduated from Huntingdon College, where she was honored by election to Tri Sigma, which recognizes scholarship, spirit, and service. After graduation, she served for three years as secretary to the Dean of Men and Dean of Women at Huntingdon. On September 15, 1956, Julia married James Harris Strickland at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery. Julia and Jim lived in Birmingham for one year, then for six years in Montgomery, where their two sons were born. In 1963, they returned to Birmingham. They joined Canterbury United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School, served on the Church Council, and joyfully participated in many other activities during her 56 years as a member. She served in several positions on the Board of the Service Guild of Birmingham and edited its newsletter. She had been a member and President of the Iris Garden Club. Growing and caring for plants and flowers was one of her lifelong hobbies, along with her love of cooking for her family and friends. Julia is survived by James Harris Strickland, her husband of 63 years, and by her two sons, Dr. James Harris Strickland, Jr., and his wife Susan, of Hoover, and Joseph Whitsitt Strickland, and his wife Emily, of Vestavia Hills; her grandchildren, James Harris Strickland III (and his wife Liz), Katherine Strickland Reynolds (and her husband Ian), Joseph Whitsitt Strickland, Jr. (and his wife Rebecca), 1st Lt. Samuel Marshall Strickland (USAF), and Roe Barron Strickland. She is also survived by her brother, Joseph Whitsitt Arbuthnot, Jr., a longtime resident of Montgomery now residing in Birmingham. She was a beloved member of a very close extended family, including numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. The family gratefully acknowledges the remarkably loving and compassionate care provided to Julia by her caregivers at home during the most recent years. Due to current health restrictions, a private memorial service for the immediate family will be held at Canterbury United Methodist Church, Mountain Brook, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2020. The church has made arrangements for this service to be viewed live via the following link: www.canterburyumc.org/funerallivestream. Memorials may be made to Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35213, to the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223, or to a favorite charity.