Bessie C. Strickland

Mrs. Bessie Christine Strickland, age 80, of Columbia, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Bessie was born on March 11, 1935 in Carroll County, Mississippi to Lee Duggins and Mary Mims Duggins. She married Billy Joe Strickland on January 1, 1969 and they enjoyed 46 dedicated years of marriage together. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Columbia and loved her church family very much. She taught 2nd grade Sunday school at one time and enjoyed teaching the young ones about the Lord. She loved working in her flower beds and the garden. She loved people and never seemed to meet a stranger, as people were just drawn toward her. She enjoyed spending time with her family and especially loved storytelling during her gatherings with them along with her friends. Bessie was a talented seamstress.

Mrs. Strickland is survived by her loving family including her husband: Billy Strickland of Columbia; children: Kathy Williamson of West Point, Mississippi, Mark Beckwith of Lewisburg, Tennessee and Joey Strickland of Batesville, Mississippi; grandchildren: Katia Williamson, Brad Williamson, Lisa Lee and Pam Fox; great-grandchildren: Abbie Cliet, Christopher Lee, April Lee, Stephen Williamson, Jarrod Williamson, Layla Williamson, Kendall Fox and Peyton Fox; sister: Charlotte Turner of Greenwood, Mississippi; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Strickland will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Billy Kimbrough and Rev. Mike Dawson officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Saturday, October 17 from 12:00 Noon until time for the service at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice or to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 2790 Pulaski Hwy, Columbia, Tennessee 38401.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The Billy Kimbrough Sunday School Class and Dr. Ben Gardner will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.williamsfh.com .