Beasley Strickland, leader in education, more, dies
Beasley Strickland
A lifelong resident of his home in the Cherry Grove Community, Strickland’s legacy of leadership in education was passed on to his children, including two sons Dan, former Columbus County and current Marion County schools superintendent; and Berry, a teacher at South Columbus High School and entrepreneur.
Survivors including his wife of 63 years, Bertha Mae Causey Strickland of the home; and daughter Rose Strickland Slack of Thomasville.
Visitation and funeral services were planned for Monday at Cherry Grove Baptist Church, where Strickland was a life-long member and a leader in its growth and development.
See the full obituary here.
Service
A Cherry Grove Baptist deacon for more than 40 years and chairman for several terms, Strickland was a leader in his church, community, business and public education.
He served several terms on the Cerro Gordo School Advisory Council, and eight years on the Columbus County Board of Education, including two terms as chairman. He also served as Southeastern District President of the North Carolina School Board Association.
Strickland also served on the boards 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, Strickland and his wife owned Grant Jewelers in Fair Bluff for 20 years. He also owned The Dunes Condominiums in North Myrtle Beach.
One of the principal owners of Big 5 and Peoples Tobacco Warehouse in Fairmont, 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.
