Richard Strickland

Richard Strickland, 83, formerly of Fernandina Beach, passed away at Baptist Beaches Hospital on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
Mr. Strickland was born in Black, Ala., and was a son of the late K Z and Jahazah Spikes Strickland.
He grew up in rural Alabama helping his family maintain their farm by picking cotton and working in peanut fields. He headed to Savannah, Ga., on the recommendation of a friend to begin a new chapter of his life away from the farm. He met and married the love of his life, Margaret Reed Strickland. They were able to celebrate 62 years of marriage on Dec. 26. Richard's number one priority was making sure she was healthy and happy. Through good friends and wonderful job opportunities, he was hired at Anheuser-Busch in Jacksonville, Fla. He enjoyed 24 years of employment there before retiring.
Richard Strickland was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. He and Margaret had five children, Stephen, Teresa, Shannon, Christy and Melissa. He and his wife set a strong example of work ethic and determination, ensuring that their children were able to achieve whatever goals they set out to do. He was a doting grandfather to his 16 grandchildren. Their home was always full of love and laughter.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Paul, Ned, Joel, Betty, Therese, Dorothy and Jack.
He leaves behind his dear wife, Margaret Strickland; his children, Stephen (Torrey) Strickland, Teresa (Nathan) Shoemaker, Shannon (Steve) Pettit, Christy (Richard) McGrath and Melissa (Bert) Norman; his siblings, Sara Wells, Peggy Rozar, Johnny Strickland and Jim Bob Strickland; 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Mr. Strickland will be held Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at noon in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.