Stella Stricklin

Stella Ruth Bond Stricklin, 71, of Mansfield, died Monday, April 28, 2008 at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. She passed away unexpectedly after being cancer-free for eight years. The wife of Henry Stricklin and owner of Hank's Olde Tyme Bar-B-Que, Stella was born October 5, 1936 to Theodore and Wanda Riley Bond in Olive Hill Ky, coming to Mansfield in 1957. Stella was a waitress for 16 years at Hilltop Restaurant and was a cook and dining room supervisor for 15 years at McCaulley Care Center. She loved reading, cooking, and gardening. Stella also enjoyed rocking on her back porch, watching birds and taking cruises. She was a member of the Kansas City Bar-B-Que Society. Her loving and caring personality will be missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

In addition to her loving husband and companion of 27 years, she leaves behind daughters, Sheila Joe Henderson, Patty Harold Wyrick, Kim Tabor partner Sandy Lewis, all of Mansfield; stepdaughters, Toni Stricklin of Atlanta, Georgia and Roni Stricklin of Mansfield; brothers, Elmer Shirley Bond, Jackie Nettie Bond of Shiloh, Roger Bond of Mansfield, Lester Bond and Danny Bond, both of Olive Hill, Kentucky; sisters, Esta Lewis Stigall, Mary Opal Dick Conn of Mansfield, Virgie Carroll Barker, Judy Leroy Stone and Betty Roger Bailey of Olive Hill, Kentucky; brothers and sisters-in-law, William Patterson of Corinth, Mississippi, Betty Patterson of Jackson, Tennessee, Tom Patterson of Canton, Jimmy Patterson, Carl Patterson, Fred Patterson of Jackson, Tennessee, Billy Patterson of Canton, Ohio and John Patterson, all of Corinth, Mississippi; special uncle, David Stricklin of Mansfield; grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as "Stella Mom", Rachel Nick Bush of Circleville, Sara Henderson fiancé, Stevie Brown, Kylee and Devon Lewis, Betty Joe Kleri, all of Mansfield; and one great-granddaughter, Olivia Brown of Mansfield. She leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephew, great-nieces and nephews, and loving friends. She was preceded in death by her loving parents; brothers, Charles and Phillip Bond; sisters, Rema Pendlum and Zelma Bond; twin great-grandchildren, Claire and Dylan Bush; brothers-in-law, Jack Wilson, Clayton Pendlum, and Bob Gordy; and sister-in-law, Shirley Bond.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2008 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home conducted by Pastor Keith Carlisle. Burial will follow in Windsor Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.