Nancy Regina Strickland Baumgardner was born in Florence, Ala. on Dec. 7, 1959 to the late Vernon Strickland and Aurelia Parrish Strickland. She died at 3:15 AM on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at NMMC in Tupelo after being disabled for several years. Nancy moved to Lee County in 1974 from Florence and lived here the remainder of her life. She attended Mooreville High School and spent time as a beautician before becoming a server in the hospitality industry. She was well known and appreciated by the patrons of the former Shockley’s Restaurant where she worked over 15 years and at Johnnie’s Drive Inn. Nancy enjoyed cooking for friends and family, working until her health failed, and keeping up with family, friends and current events on her computer.
A private family service celebrating her life will take place on Sunday. The family will receive friends from Noon-2 PM Sunday, May 19, 2024 at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo. Burial will be private. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
Nancy is survived by her children, Michael Strickland (Shelly), James Johnson (Michelle); her grandchildren, Kaylee, Nikki (James), Tayler, John Wesley and Katelynn; her great-grandchildren, Ellie and Brysen; sisters, Lois Morgan (Wayne) and Sandra Hood (Burmer); special nieces, Amy Brewer, Emily Rankin (Chad), and Christi Morgan Gibbons (Aaron); former husband, Johnnie Nichols, and lifelong friend, Vickie Smith; and many beloved cousins in Florence, Ala. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, James “Flip” Baumgardner and Rudy Johnson; niece, Angela Andra, and nephews, Tim Morgan and Jeremy Glidewell, and her siblings, Wesley Kelley and Jason Kelley.
Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.
