Texford Strickland: Tabor City
1943 – 2024
Texford Strickland of Tabor City died peacefully at his home on Thursday, June 20. He was 80.
Born Aug. 10,1943, in Robeson County, he was the son of the late Rhonoake Strickland and the late Reba Margaret Causey Strickland.
He was an educator and lifelong farmer. Texford graduated from Cerro Gordo High School in 1961 and attended Campbell College graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor’s Of Science of Math Education. He continued his education at the University of South Carolina and obtained a Master’s in Education in 1977 and a Specialist Certificate in Mathematics (Masters plus 30 hours of credit) obtained in 1996.
In his 31 years of teaching, he began his career at Indian Rivers High School, Chesapeake Public Schools in Virginia (1966-1969). Texford taught at Green Sea Floyds High School, Horry County, spanning from 1965-1994. After retiring from Horry County he taught at South Columbus High School in Columbus County (1994-1996) and Lumberton High School, Robeson County from 1996-1998. He finished his teaching career at Whiteville High School, in 1999.
Texford was dedicated to his craft and enjoyed seeing his students succeed in life. He believed in the 7 P’s of success: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pitiful Poor Performance.
He was a dedicated member of Cherry Grove Baptist Church in Cerro Gordo, having served faithfully.
Texford was preceded in death by his wife, Lora Kay Graham Strickland: brother-in-law Ronald Carson Shelly; sister-in-law Paula Walters Strickland and a nephew Rudy Shelly.
He leaves to his cherished memory a son, Chuck Powell of the home; two daughters, Loressa Powell Sawyer (Buck) of Aynor and Charla Powell Clemons (Joe) of Myrtle Beach; four grandchildren, Colby Clemons, Kayla Clemons, Chelsea Sawyer, and Cole Grainger; a brother, Spencer Strickland of Tabor City; a sister, Sherry Shelley of Green Sea; as well as many special nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.
Family would like to extend a very special thank you to Ms. Ellen Massingil and Ms. Lisa Watts of the Lower Cape Fear LifeCareCenter, Whiteville, for their compassion and dedication to the family during this difficult time; and to special care givers Ms. Alisha Snowden, Adrian Bullard, Monique Snowden of Fair Bluff, and Bradley Ballard of Little River.
Funeral services were planned for 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23, in Cherry Grove Baptist Church, Cerro Gordo, burial following in the church cemetery.
Visitation was planned for the hour preceding services in the church sanctuary.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Texford to: Lower Cape Fear Hospice House, 206 Warrior Trail Whiteville, NC 28472, or Cherry Grove Baptist Church, 9833 Swamp Fox Hwy W. Cerro Gordo, NC 28430.
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