James Strickland

DATELINE: GASTONIA



MASON  STRICKLAND



James Mason Strickland, 95, died peacefully embraced by his family on August 16, 2012, in Kernersville, NC.  He was born September 13, 1916, in Franklin County, Georgia to the late James Epp and Beulah Starrett Strickland.



Mason was a member of Firestone Wesleyan Church since the 1950's.  He retired from Firestone Textiles after many years of service.   Mason was an avid gardener, a fisherman, and a faithful Christian.



Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Jeanette S. Hannah of Winston Salem; grandchildren, Vonni Rhee Hannah of Winston Salem, Renet Parris and husband James of Kernersville; great-grandchildren, Sonja, Melissa, Chris, and Robbie; great-great-grandchildren, Addison and Parker; stepdaughter, Dianne Dula of Wilmington; stepson, Luther Lail of Clover, SC; step-grandchildren, Julie Wright, Patrick Lail and Dana Tibbits; special friend, Sherry Bradley.



He is preceded in death by his first wife, Joneal Strickland; second wife, Gertrude Waldrop Lail Strickland; brothers, Ben Strickland, Charles Strickland; sister, Bonnie Floy Smith; step-granddaughter, Amanda Lail Doubledee.



His funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday at Firestone Wesleyan Church with Rev. Roger Parsons and Rev.Wes Brown officiating.



Interment will follow at Gaston Memorial Park.



Visitation will be held Monday from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Sisk-Butler Funeral Home, Bessemer City.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Firestone Wesleyan Church, 1700 Union Road, Gastonia, NC  28054