Mary Katherine Sommer Strickland, age 69, longtime resident of Mobile, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward William Sommer and Lucile Fidelis Steber Sommer, sister, Suzanne Dorothea Sommer Nontay and son, Steven William Kinsey.
Mary worked in several administrative and clerical positions in the Mobile and Dauphin Island areas. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She is survived by her husband of over 40 years Wayne Strickland and son Will Kinsey. She is also survived by brothers, Edward William Sommer, Jr., Daniel Allen Sommer, John Wayne Sommer, Jack Joseph Sommer and sisters, Lucy Margaret Sommer Elliott and Teresa Rita Sommer Spikes. Her grandchildren; Amber Shefferd, Sean Kinsey, Kimberlyn Kinsey, Jerod Kinsey and great-grandchildren; Carson Shefferd, Andon Shefferd and Presley Kinsey also survived her.
Her son Will shared these words of tribute to his mother…”I think what people will remember most about my mom is her sense of humor and how she was loved by everyone and was a joy to be around.”
Husband of over 40 years Wayne shared these memories…”Mary was a special person: she must have been to put up with me for so long. I love her dearly. We have been blessed with a very long and happy marriage, which doesn’t make things easier at this moment, but I hope someday soon it will.
My light went out on June 7th when my wife, Mary Strickland passed away. It was a hard day because we all believed she was making favorable progress towards recovery. Members of our family visited her before she passed.
God in His infinite wisdom had other plans. She was going home to be with our beloved son, Steve, who died just over 5 years ago. For over forty-three years we shared our lived together …we became as one. We were blessed with a wonderful family and since planning retirement we hoped to enjoy many happy years in each other’s company.
My wife was not only a wonderful wife and mother she was my rock which kept me grounded. She was a cheerful, friendly person and made many warm friends. She would never shade the truth no matter what the consequences. She loved her family and was faithful to her allotted tasks.
And now, dear friends, I close this tribute with a feeling of humility and submission to Divine authority. I know many men have a wonderful wife but no one has ever had a better one than I. She was faithful, efficient, loyal and true. She inspired me in ways I cannot explain. I have lost a worthy helpmate but I have nothing but many happy memories of our more than forty-three years of life together. I sorrow now for my loved one but the burden has been lessened by the many kindnesses shown me and my family.”
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Radney Funeral Home-mobile from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Memorial offerings may be made in Mary's name to the American Heart Association.
