Jesse JW W Strickland

Jesse W. Strickland 79 of Columbia, SC died Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Palmetto Medical Baptist Center. Funeral services were held 11 AM Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at the Spring Branch Baptist Church in Nichols SC, the burial followed in the church cemetery. Visitation was held in the Meares Funeral Home of Fair Bluff , Monday, May 30, 2016 from 6PM-8PM.

Jesse was born on October 10, 1936 in Fair Bluff, NC, to the late Dayton and Mildred Anderson Strickland of Nichols, SC. He was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbia.

He attended Floyds High School in Horry County and Fair Bluff High School. After high school, he entered the United States Army serving in the Far East. After his discharge, he graduated from Campbell Junior College and transferred to the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1959.

Jesse joined the Columbia Police Department and worked for three years. In 1962 he joined the South Carolina Department of Corrections, where he began his 25 year career. He served in numerous positions including the Warden's position at Central Correctional Institution and retired as Deputy-Commissioner from the Institutions in 1984.

During his years in corrections, he received numerous awards and commendations.

He was a graduate of the Ford Foundation Fellowship of the Criminal Justice Center at Harvard Law School.

In 1984, he accepted a position with the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitors office in Georgetown and Horry Counties, where he worked as an investigator and polygraph examiner.

In June, 1990 he began employment with the Hearn, Brittian, and Martin Law firm in Conway and Myrtle Beach, SC as an investigator. He moved to Columbia in 1994 and began working with the Childs and Halligan Law Firm as an office assistant.

He is survived by his sons: Steve Strickland of Fair Bluff, NC; William (Teresa) Strickland of Fair Bluff NC; Jess Strickland of Folly Beach, SC; a step-son, Jason Dennis of Dallas TX ; daughters, Teresa (Tony) Weatherford of Murrells Inlet, SC; Jessica (Richard) Morris of Lexington SC; Mona Strickland of Cayce, SC and Tiffany Strickalnd of Cayce, SC. A grandson: Justin (Amanda) Jones of San Diego, CA; great-granddaughter Dallas Jones. He is also survived by his former wife, Debbie Childs of Columbia, SC. In addition to his parents, Jesse was predeceased by brother Tim M. Strickland; sister Marie Strickland Anderson; and former wife Addie Jo Enzor Strickland.

Active pallbearers were: Sterling Beckman, Charlie Porter, George Martin, Jim Harvey, Parker Evatt, Rallie Zeigler, Randy Duncan, and Jerry Strickland.

Honorary pallbearers were: Danny Anderson, Barry Anderson, Terry Anderson, Ronnie Anderson, Will Hammond, and Michael Enzor.