Samuel Strickland, Sr.

Samuel Strickland Sr, age 85, passed away surrounded by his family on April 26, 2025 in his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Born March 18, 1940 in Columbus County, North Carolina, Sam lived a life marked by faith, family and hard work.

Sam was the son of the late Joseph Troy Strickland Sr. and Josephine Blanton Strickland. He is predeceased by his first wife, Margaret Polk Strickland, grandchild, Arlynne Presley Dean as well as his brothers, Joseph Troy Strickland, Jr., Joel Cecil Strickland and David Strickland.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 55 years, Sylvia Allen Strickland as well as his seven children, Michael Strickland of Raleigh, Donna Dean (Mark) of Garner, Linda Barbour (Donnie) of Garner, Sam Strickland Jr. (Margaret) of Cypress, Texas, Jeanie Dupree (Jodie) of Clayton, James Strickland (Christina) of Lumber Bridge and Daniel Strickland (Laura) of Four Oaks. 15 Grandchildren, Rebecca McComb, Derek Barbour, April Creech, Thomas Morris, Haley Uzzle, Jake Strickland, Cassidy Honeycutt, Clay Dupree, Hunter Dupree, Leah Strickland, Stone Strickland, Emilia Strickland, Brandy Strickland, Arlynn Hooper and Alyssa Strickland. 5 Great-Grandchildren, Kynlee, Cason, Cade, Will and Ruby.

He is also survived by his siblings, Joseph Allen Strickland of Whiteville, Herman Strickland of Pittsboro, Raymond W. Strickland of Hickory Valley, Tennessee, Louise S. Allen of Bear Creek, Mavis Estelle Strickland of Hillsborough, Phillip G. Strickland of Bear Creek, Jerry R. Strickland of Kilgore, Texas and Mitchell Strickland of Gretna, Virgina and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at McLaurin Funeral Home of Clayton from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Garner Church of God on Benson Highway in Garner with burial to follow at Hayes Chapel Christian Church Cemetery, 315 E. Garner Road in Garner, North Carolina.

Sam Strickland was a remarkable man — a man of God, a devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A man who lived his life with purpose, with passion, and with faith.

Born the fourth of twelve children to a family of sharecroppers, he grew up understanding the value of hard work, perseverance, and family. He carried those lessons with him all his life — first on the football field as a proud Southport Dolphin, and later, in every role he filled: husband, provider, business owner, and friend.

He began building his family with his first wife, Margaret Strickland, in Plant City, Florida. During those early years, he worked hard — even driving an ice cream truck for Velda — to provide for those he loved.

In 1962, he moved his family to Garner, North Carolina, where he continued to chase bigger dreams.

He worked for Capital Lightning Protection before taking a leap of faith and founding his own company: Interstate Lightning Protection and Equipment Company — a true testament to his determination and spirit.

In 1970, he married Sylvia Strickland, and together they grew their family even more, building not just a home in Raleigh but a life rooted deeply in love, hard work, and devotion. Outside of his work, he made time for what mattered most — time with his family. He loved hunting on the family farm in Illinois with his children and grandchildren, and fishing for redbreast sunfish in the Lumber River, finding joy in those simple, perfect moments of connection. But above all else, he dedicated his life to the Lord, to his faith, and to his church, Garner Church of God. He was a man who didn’t just talk about faith — he lived it, every single day, in the way he loved, served, and led by example. Even in his final months, he never stopped working — because working wasn’t just a job for him. It was part of his soul: a way he showed his love for his family, his strength of spirit, and his gratitude for the life he had been given.

His story is one of faith, of hard work, of loyalty, and of love — and though today we grieve, we also give thanks. Thanks for the memories, the lessons, and the legacy he leaves behind. We know he is with the Lord he served so faithfully, hearing the words we all long to hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” He will be deeply missed — and forever cherished.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in his memory be made to:

Moxley Ministries Building Fund, P.O. Box 952 Jesup, Georgia 31598 www.MoxleyMinistries.com