Her funeral service will be held Sunday, September 17th at 3:30 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Visitation is at 2:00 pm prior to the service.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William J. Strickland and her parents, Julia Trimble and John Edward Pate.
She is survived by her son, George Edward Strickland and wife Carol; her daughter, Lea Elizabeth Strickland Lagunes and husband Epifanio all of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; her grandchildren: Katherine Grace Strickland Gambrell and husband Vaughn, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; William Joseph Strickland, II, and wife Lauren, of Mobile, Alabama; George Wesley Strickland and wife Logan, of Birmingham, Alabama; Titus Eliazar Lagunes of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and her great grandchildren, Grace and Jackson Gambrell; Grace, Archie and Will Strickland; and Ruby Strickland . . .
Through storytelling and fond reflections, some of the words used to describe Martha are humble, visionary, smart, mentor, counselor, colleague, friend, leader, kind, dedicated, helpful, generous, loving, sometimes sneaky, fun, and caring. Also, known for her fortitude we can smile at the thought of her often sung saying, “Patience and fortitude and things will come your way”.
The fabric of Martha’s life was woven together by her commitment to her family, her church, her profession, and her friends. Martha Sue was born at home in a simple coal mining community in Kellerman, Alabama. Then in the early years of the Great Depression moved to Gordo, Alabama where she and her two brothers, Jack and Glenn, were raised. Martha Sue and her family were no strangers to hard work. Dairy farming and picking cotton, she and her brothers were shaped by loving parents and a church-going family.
Despite having lost both parents at young ages Martha Sue forged ahead to the University of Alabama and graduated in 1954 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics and a M.S. degree in Human Development and Family Life in 1955.
While a student at the University Martha attended church at Trinity United Methodist Church where she met William J. (Bill) Strickland and married in 1953. They had two children with grandchildren and great grands to follow. Family was the highlight of her life.
Martha’s educational foundation paved the way for Martha to enjoy a 35-year career at The University of Alabama as assistant professor of Human Development & Family Studies and Director of the Child Development Center in the College of Human Environmental Sciences. Along with her colleagues Martha’s research and studies were published in over 18 professional journals and is accredited with editing and publishing a textbook that was adopted by another university in her field. Martha made numerous presentations at professional conferences; consulted for many educational and service groups; served or presided over many advisory councils at the local, state and federal level.
Martha was a devoted member and steadfast servant to her beloved Trinity United Methodist Church. She and Bill dedicated and raised their children at Trinity and served there for over 65 years.
So, how do you weave together the many-colored threads of Martha Sue Pate Strickland’s life. Perhaps it’s through the lives of all those she has touched and loved. The tapestry of her life is still ongoing.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heritagechapeltuscaloosa.com for the Strickland family.
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