Obituary for Evelyn Strickland
Evelyn Strickland was the daughter of the late Pearl and Richard Shorter. She was born on September 7, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio. God called her home on Friday July 17, 2020.
She accepted Christ at an early age at Mt Zion Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio and remained a faithful member for 70+ years. During the 1970’s she participated in the Mt Zion’s music ministry as a pianist. She was also a Sunday school teacher at Mt Zion for many years.
Evelyn was educated in the Toledo Public School System. She graduated from Libbey High School. As a child, she enjoyed attending the Frederick Douglas Community Center. The Black professionals that operated the Center inspired her older sister Nora and Evelyn to take a sincere interest in education. Evelyn graduated from the University of Toledo in 1952. While attending the university she was a member Phi Delta Kappa professional association for educators. Additionally she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She continued her affiliation with the sorority with the graduate chapter Zeta Alpha Omega.
The sorority’s motto of “Service to Mankind” was not Evelyn’s first exposure to volunteerism. Following in her mother’s footsteps Evelyn became a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary, Rachel Chapter #14 Order of Eastern Star, and Toledo County Council.
Evelyn taught elementary education in the Toledo Public school system for 32 years. She began her career at Washington Elementary School as a classroom teacher but later worked as a Reading Specialist at several other elementary schools.
She was joined in holy matrimony to William Strickland. From this union one son was born.
She was preceded in death by four brothers Frazier Ross, Richard Shorter, James Shorter, Donald Shorter and two sister Lucy Alexander and Nora McCarley along with her former husband William Strickland.
Left to cherish her memory is her son Lawrence “Larry” Strickland. Also surviving her are a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
She accepted Christ at an early age at Mt Zion Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio and remained a faithful member for 70+ years. During the 1970’s she participated in the Mt Zion’s music ministry as a pianist. She was also a Sunday school teacher at Mt Zion for many years.
Evelyn was educated in the Toledo Public School System. She graduated from Libbey High School. As a child, she enjoyed attending the Frederick Douglas Community Center. The Black professionals that operated the Center inspired her older sister Nora and Evelyn to take a sincere interest in education. Evelyn graduated from the University of Toledo in 1952. While attending the university she was a member Phi Delta Kappa professional association for educators. Additionally she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She continued her affiliation with the sorority with the graduate chapter Zeta Alpha Omega.
The sorority’s motto of “Service to Mankind” was not Evelyn’s first exposure to volunteerism. Following in her mother’s footsteps Evelyn became a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary, Rachel Chapter #14 Order of Eastern Star, and Toledo County Council.
Evelyn taught elementary education in the Toledo Public school system for 32 years. She began her career at Washington Elementary School as a classroom teacher but later worked as a Reading Specialist at several other elementary schools.
She was joined in holy matrimony to William Strickland. From this union one son was born.
She was preceded in death by four brothers Frazier Ross, Richard Shorter, James Shorter, Donald Shorter and two sister Lucy Alexander and Nora McCarley along with her former husband William Strickland.
Left to cherish her memory is her son Lawrence “Larry” Strickland. Also surviving her are a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.