Barbara Joyce Strickland

Barbara Joyce Wilson Strickland, 84, a native and life-long resident of the Birmingham, Alabama area, passed peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. She was born on April 22, 1940 to the late John Blake Wilson and Mary Ruth Spearman Wilson.

Barbara was a Girl Scout in her youth and a Girl Scouts leader later. After her graduation from Fairfield High School, her professional career spanned several years in administrative work in the medical industry.

Barbara was a member, past historian, and past photographer of Heart of Dixie Motorcycle Club. She traveled extensively with her husband Don on his Harley throughout the United States and Canada. In her leisure, she also enjoyed playing the piano and raising dogs.

Barbara was an accomplished horsewoman in multiple disciplines, and loved raising Appaloosa horses. She spent her time instructing future equestrians, sharing her love and knowledge with young children in the area, helping those with special needs to improve their balance and motor skills while they engaged with their equine partners. All of her grandchildren first learned to ride horses during their summer vacations with their Memaw. Many of them still share in her love for equine sports.

Barbara was well-known as a cook extraordinaire! Everything, especially her prized pastries, was homemade.

In addition to her parents, Barbara is preceded in death by her brother, John Blake Wilson Jr., and a daughter, Donna Jo Fleet. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Donald R. Strickland; daughter, Mary Robin Gregory (Chuck); son, John Richard Strickland (Georgia); daughter, Linda Strickland Graham (Donald); grandchildren, Michelle Maple, Cierra Robinson, Ashley Murray, John Strickland Jr., Laurel Groseclose, and Donald Graham Jr.; and six great-grandchildren.

Barbara's family and friends will gather for visitation Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., followed by A Service of Remembrance at 1 p.m. at the Ridout's Southern Heritage, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124. Interment will be at Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham.