Barbara Jean Strickland Davis

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a beloved mother and devoted educator, Barbara Jean Strickland Davis on Monday, January 15, 2024. She was born on November 29, 1944 in Lumberton, North Carolina. Her father JT Strickland was defending our country with the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific at the time. Barbara and her mother Gladys were living with grandmother Mary Kinlaw Strickland in Clarendon, NC until JT returned from the war Christmas 1945. Barbara’s childhood memories were of visiting family “in the country,” special parties at home, dances at the Armory, living in Lake Forest, theatre, Tri-Hi-Y, Girl Scouts, dance lessons at “Jane’s School of Dancing,” piano lessons and lazy summer days at Wrightsville Beach. She had a wonderful childhood in a loving home.

Barbara graduated from New Hanover High School in 1962 and UNCG (“Women’s College”) in 1966. She loved children and dedicated her life to encouraging creativity and reading as an early childhood educator. Barbara encouraged outside-the-box thinking as early as a child could hold a crayon… never using coloring pages but rather “draw from your imagination.” In her career and personal life, she was passionate about giving children opportunities to grow into their best selves.  She also volunteered through many organizations, including Junior Women’s, AAUW, many PTAs, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts.

Barbara was known for her patience, kindness, and witty remarks. For many years her kitchen was overrun with science projects. Year after year, she waited out the science fair season with grace. Her patience did occasionally run short – but her quips were always kind. “Think for yourself,” was a frequent response. We reap what we sow, and thus she reared two very strong-willed, independent-thinking children.

She married the love of her life on December 30,1967 at First Baptist Church in Wilmington. Hoping for an eternity together, Barbara and Lee cherished the 46 years they shared. They both enjoyed walks on the beach, which happens to be where Lee proposed marriage. She also enjoyed bridge nights, listening to Nina Simone and Edith Piaf, attending the theatre, cooking (especially Lee’s fresh catch of the day), and playing with her grandchildren. Besides helping her grandchildren learn to read, she gifted them the eloquence to order a proper cocktail: “an extra dry gin martini up with a twist!”

She is preceded in death by her husband Herbert Lee Davis, III, and her father James Thomas Strickland, Sr.  Barbara is survived by her mother, Gladys Powell Strickland, brother Jimmy Strickland (Julie), sister Gayle Smith (Ralph), daughter Hilary Case (James), son Herbert “Bert” Lee Davis, IV,  and 5 grandchildren: Ben & Anne Case, and Kylee, Connor & Colbie Davis.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Oleander Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Give Kids the World (https://www.gktw.org/help/give.php), a whimsical resort for critically ill children and their families to create memories on their wish trips.

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