Joanna Elizabeth Strickland, 40, of Thompson’s Station, TN, formerly of Florence, AL, passed away Monday, March 17, 2014. Born on April 5, 1973, to Deborah Ray and the late Billy Strickland, Joanna was a native of Florence, the Central community specifically, before relocating to Thompson’s Station, TN in 2002. A graduate of both Central High School and the University of North Alabama, Joanna excelled in school receiving many accolades and achievements including the Dean’s List, undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Business Administration, and a certificate in Human Resource Management. She was well-liked by her classmates, teachers, friends, and family. Her wit and charm made her uniquely disarming. And, her openness was a refreshing virtue that garnished her many close friends. Known for her sense of sarcasm and humor, Joanna was a lovable character with an infectious laugh and a special appreciation for music. She could often be heard bragging about her beloved daughter, Morgan, whom she hailed as her crowning achievement and best friend. And, while it’s true, Joanna had many friends, one rose above those ranks as a kindred spirit, her life-long, very-best-friend, Sherry McDonald, of Shelton, Connecticut. Despite the distance in geography between the two friends, their spirits were inseparable, talking over phone daily, if not multiple times a day. Our dear Joanna was a mother, sister, daughter, niece, cousin and friend. She was loved by many, and she will never be forgotten. Joanna’s untimely death comes just a week after her beloved father, William Austin “Billy” Strickland’s passing. She is survived by her loving mother, Deborah Ray, of Florence, AL; grandparents, Austin and Jean Strickland; daughter, Morgan Strickland; brothers, Phillip Strickland and Josh Strickland; sister-in-law, Julia Strickland; and 5 nieces and nephews, Sydney, Bo, Samantha, Jack, and Gus with another due in May. Arrangements are being made through Spry~Williams Funeral Home in Florence, AL. There will be a service honoring Joanna, Saturday, March 22, 2:00 P.M at Faith Church, Florence. The family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon-2:00 P.M. Interment will be at Greenview Memorial Park.
Service at 2:00 PM at Faith Church on Saturday, March 22nd, 2014
