Mary Carolyn Strickland (Collins)

Life’s Reflections

On Tuesday July 13, 2021, Mary Carolyn Strickland, loving Christian, and Mother of six children, made her transition at the age of 82.  Mary Carolyn was born on July 3, 1939, in Argentine district of Kansas City, Kansas to Roosevelt and Mable Roberts Strickland.  She was educated in the Kansas City, Kansas School District.

She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Second Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Barnes.  Mary found her calling in hospital laboratories, first as a phlebotomist, and a self-educated histologist.  One of her last microscopes is housed in the Agriculture Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas.  She loved her profession, but most importantly, she LOVED God.

Mary had a strong passion for her family, and her church family, but if you wanted to find her, look to the nearest fishing bank.   You would have seen her there with her sun hat on, a rod and reel in her hand, and covered in skin-so-soft.  She found that worked best because she sold Avon for over 35 years.  She loved poetry, reading, music, sewing, and crocheting.  She loved animals and was attentive to the evening news.  She also enjoyed taking pictures and making photo scrapbooks.

Mary Carolyn was preceded in death by her father, Roosevelt Strickland; mother, Mable Roberts Strickland; brother, Michael Strickland; brother, Edward Strickland; sister, Augusta (Opal) Johnson; brother, William Jerome Strickland; brother, Roosevelt James Strickland; granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Triplett; and great-great grandson Zaire Harris.

Those left to cherish her memory include daughters, Cynthia Lewis of Fredericksburg, Virginia; son, Leon Lewis (Carol) of Dover, Delaware; daughter, Linda Burns (Willie) of Kansas City, Kansas; daughter, Brenda P. Cherry (Lloyd) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; son, Mark Cherry (Thalia); of Lees Summit, Missouri; Larrell Triplett (Lavetta); Olathe, Kansas; brother, Joseph Strickland; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great- grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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