Beasley Strickland: Cherry Grove

    Beasley Strickland, a lifelong resident of his home in the Cherry Grove Community, died Saturday, March 9. He was 85.
    He was the youngest son of the late Fronis and Emma Strickland and was also preceded in death by brothers Darewood of Green Sea; Lascoe, Rhonoake, and Numan of Tabor City; sisters Pheatress Thigpen of Fair Bluff and Florine Winbon of Orlando, Fla.
    Preceding him in death, also, were brother-in-laws Wilton Thigpen, Sr. of Fair Bluff, and Bob Winbon of Orlando, Fla; sister-in-laws Reba and Virginia Strickland of Tabor City; and Evelle Strickland of Green Sea.
    He is survived by his wife, his best friend, and the love of his life of 63 years, Bertha Mae Causey Strickland of the home; sons Dr. Dan Strickland and wife Gay of Tabor City and Berry Strickland of Tabor City and wife Charmin; a daughter, Rose Strickland Slack and husband Dana of Thomasville; grandchildren Dr. Paige Strickland-Smith of Morehead City, Elizabeth Strickland of Raleigh, Adam Slack of Wilmington, Walt Strickland and Ashlynn Faircloth of Greenville, Cole and Bryce Faircloth of Tabor City, and Andrew Birkenstock of Frisco, Texas.
    Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Nellie Mae Strickland Richardson of Cerro Gordo, 20 loving nieces and nephews and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.
    Mr. Strickland was a life-long member of Cherry Grove Baptist Church located in the Cherry Grove Community between Tabor City and Fair Bluff. During his membership tenure at Cherry Grove, he was a deacon for more than 40 years and served as chairman for several terms. He also served the church as a Trustee and Sanctuary Choir member and as the church’s Purchasing Agent for more that 50 years. Throughout the years he faithfully served on numerous committees including the Nominating Committee, Pastor Search Committee, Finance and Budget Committee, Floral Committee, and Building and Grounds Committee.
    Serving as a member of the Cerro Gordo School Advisory Council for several terms, Mr. Strickland later was elected as a member of the Columbus County Board of Education for eight years serving as chairman for two terms. During his tenure on the county school board, he served 17 school districts as Southeastern District President of the North Carolina School Board Association.
    Other boards in which he served included the Board of Directors of Brunswick Electric Membership Cooperative, Columbus County Farm Bureau, Service Telephone Company, First Investors Savings Bank, and First Citizens Bank
    A farmer in the Cherry Grove Community, Beasley and Ms. Strickland also owned Grant Jewelers in Fair Bluff for two decades where they were members of the Greater Fair Bluff Chamber of Commerce. He also owned The Dunes Condominiums in North Myrtle Beach.
    One of the principal owners of Big 5 and Peoples Tobacco Warehouse in Fairmont, Mr. Strickland was elected and served as President of the Border Belt Tobacco Market Association, serving tobacco warehousemen and farmers throughout Northeastern South Carolina and Southeastern North Carolina.
    As Chairman of the Gapway Drainage District he worked in conjunction with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to develop and provide a 20 mile-long canal for farmland drainage through western Columbus County and northern Horry County.
    Family was to receive friends for visitation at Cherry Grove Baptist Church Sanctuary  from 2 to 3:15 p.m. on Monday, March 11.
    The funeral and celebration of Mr. Strickland’s life was planned to follow at 3:30 p.m., with Rev. Josh Phillips officiating. Burial was to follow in Cherry Grove Cemetery.
    For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cherry Grove Baptist Church Sanctuary Building Fund, c/o Cherry Grove Baptist Church, 9833 Swamp Fox Highway West, Cerro Gordo, NC, 28430.
     Those who wish may sign a guestbook here.