Ethel Loiuse Strickland

Ethel Louise Strickland (nee Jackson) of Oberlin died Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph in Lorain. She was 73.

Born Nov. 5, 1936, in Deepstep, Ga., she attended elementary school in Durham, N.C., and graduated high school in New Brunswick, N.J.

She worked as a housekeeper and as a sales clerk at Bamberger Department Store while living in New Brunswick. She then worked as a sales clerk at Gray Drug and Leader Drug stores while living in Cleveland. She moved back to New Jersey and was a supervisor for the Suburban Bus Company.

She was religious and joined the church at an early age. She helped form a bid whist club with some of her friends, and she enjoyed traveling by Grey Hound bus.

She moved back to Ohio in 2000 to be closer to her family, who lived in Oberlin and Cleveland. Even in her illness she was still dedicated to her family and God.

Mrs. Strickland is survived by her sons Alphonso Jr. and William (Carol), both of New Jersey; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Gloria (Ronald) Boulware of Oberlin; aunt Williemae Howell of Vero Beach, Fla.; special cousin Eloise McGhee; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alphonso Strickland Sr.; son, Daniel Strickland; and parents, Eddie and Annie Julia (nee Spikes) Jackson.

Services were Friday, Feb. 5, at Cowling Funeral Home. Burial was at Westwood Cemetery.