Mary Ann Strickland

Mary Ann Strickland, age 88, of Tampa, FL passed away peacefully on Friday, January 5, 2024. Mary was born in Smithfield, NC on December 22, 1935. She attended Smithfield School which was all grade levels. In 1951 she eloped with the love of her life. They were married 49 years before the death of Ray in 2000.

In her earlier years she sang and traveled with her church trio group, loved roller skating and dancing. She worked for a sewing factory there in Smithfield.

In 1959 they moved to Tampa, FL where they raised four children. Mary was always active with her kids activities. She also included neighborhood friends in our family fun. A lot of other kids called her mom. She retired from Management of an optical company, and she was a member of First Reformed church in which she loved being part of. She was loved by so many everywhere she went.

Some of her hobbies include sewing ( she could make anything), singing, crossword puzzles, word searches, building puzzles, coloring, and she loved playing Scrabble and Chinese Checkers. Family boating was always a fun time for her. She loved picnics and going out for a car ride. Road trips to NC every year was always fun with her picnics and singing in the car, and sometimes it was a train ride.

Mary was predeceased by her mom, Mary, her dad , Lonnie, her brother, Tomcat, her daughter Vickie Eldridge, and the love of her life, Ray, in which she is now reunited with.

Her surviving children she left behind are Terrie Smetanka of Tampa, Florida, Kevin Strickland of Peru IL, and Marty Strickland of Port Charlotte, FL. Mary has eight loving grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren in which she was so proud of.

Mary was always loving, helping and guiding. She saw the good in everything. She will be missed by many and will forever be in our hearts.

A graveside service for Mary will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610.