Tracy Alice Strickland, 43, died unexpectedly at her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 2, 2026. The only child of Roscoe Lee “Rocky” Strickland III and Garnett Marie Grymes Strickland, Tracy was born on November 26, 1982, at Spring Branch Memorial Hospital in Houston, Texas. Her grandparents were Roscoe and Lucy Strickland and Jerry and Nina Grymes.
In 1984, at the age of one and a half, Tracy moved with her parents to Durham, North Carolina, where she attended Durham Academy from kindergarten through seventh grade. After her parents' divorce, she relocated to Rome, Georgia, for eighth grade and then returned to Durham Academy for ninth grade. During tenth grade, she moved to Raleigh to live with her father and graduated from Broughton High School in 2001. She went on to earn an Associate in Arts degree at Wake Technical Community College.
Tracy was a talented musician and artist with paint, pen, and embroidery. She was also a passionate gardener and an avid birdwatcher. A generous and loyal friend whose smile and laugh were infectious, she was an astute listener, insightful observer, and a prolific correspondent. A devoted yoga and meditation practitioner, she especially enjoyed walking and playing with her dog.
In the course of her spiritual quest, Tracy had made extensive plans for a pilgrimage, scheduled to commence in October, to India, China, Tibet, and Nepal, including the Everest Base Camp.
In addition to her father, Tracy is survived by her aunt Rachel Strickland and uncle Russell Zeidner of San Francisco, her uncle Darryl Grymes and aunt Jennifer Grymes of The Woodlands, Texas, her uncle David Grymes of Houston, many cousins, and her faithful companion Zelda, the loving silver Labrador Retriever.
A visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 West Edenton Street, Raleigh. A memorial service and inurnment will follow at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, is serving the Strickland family.
