Eva Strickland

Eva Jenia Stickland, age 75, of Tuscaloosa, AL, went home to be with Jesus on June 24, 2024, in her home, surrounded by her family.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend John G. Johnson, and Alice Johnson (Sulser) of Northport, AL; her paternal grandparents, Charles Edward Johnson, and Floyd Marcella Johnson (Singley) of Greensboro, AL; her maternal grandparents, Albert Clifford Sulser and Mary Cora Dean Sulser (Reid) of Fayette, AL; two husbands, Cecil Dale Maddox of Fayette, AL, and Raymond Odell Strickland of Northport, AL;  one son, Kenneth Ray Stickland of Longview, Tx; her daughter-in-law Stacie Renee Maddox (Potter) of Foley, AL; and her son-in-law, Paul Oliver Ofeldt of Northport, AL.

Her survivors are her brothers Wayne Johnson (Peggy) and Darrell Johnson (Gloria) of TN, her daughter, Dana Ofeldt of Northport, AL, her sons, John Maddox (Lisa) of Cottondale, AL; Ronald Strickland (Belinda) of Butler, AL; Robert Stickland (Lee) of Northport, AL; her daughters-in-law Penny Relford (Kenneth) and Pam Tidmore (Kenneth) of Longview, Tx; 21 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jenia was a devout Christian raised in the true Southern Baptist belief. She was a member of Chapel Hill Baptist Church in Northport, AL, and was an active member of the Senior Sunday School class for many years. 

She attended Fayette County High School, graduating in 1969, then obtained her nursing education in Winfield AL, and became a licensed practice nurse. She began her LPN career at Moundville Nursing Home and continued caring for patients through private duty nursing, and at Hale County Hospital, and DCH Regional Medical Center, until she retired. After retirement, she drove a school bus for the Tuscaloosa County School System for about 10 years. Jenia never met a stranger and always had a kind word for those she met. She felt it was her purpose in life to bring happiness, joy, and comfort to others.

The family would like to thank Dr. Debra Davis of Tuscaloosa, AL, for her love and devotion to Jenia over the last several years. Special thanks to Dr. Adam Kole and his amazing staff at the Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center of Birmingham, AL for their dedication and attentiveness to Mrs. Strickland’s care over the last two years. Words could never convey the family's gratitude to Barbara Dickey and Jane Spencer for their time, care, and undying friendship with our sister and mother in her last days.

The family welcomes visitors and friends at Nelson Funeral Home in Fayette, AL on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, between 5-7 pm. She will be laid to rest in a graveside service at Bethabara Cemetery in Berry AL, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 2 pm. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Albright; James Beams, jr.; Justin Lesley; Johnathan Maddox; Michael Vines; Kenneth Strickland; Garret Strickland.

Honorary Pallbearers include Barbara Dickey, Darrell Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Lisa Maddox, Dana Ofeldt, Penny Relford, Jane Spencer, Pam Strickland, and all her friends and relatives too numerous to mention. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eva Strickland, please visit our floral store.