Mary Zelma Strickland

Mary Zelma (ZZ) Strickland, of Brownwood, formally of Beeville, Texas) passed away peacefully in her sleep and awoke in the presence of Jesus in her Heavenly home on November 11th, 2025. A funeral service for Zelma will be held at 2:00PM on Monday, November 17, at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Burkett Cemetery. Zelma was born January 20, 1936 to Thomas and Ruby Weaver Strickland in Burkett, Texas. She graduated from Burkett High School and attended McMurry College. After completing her education Zelma taught English, coached basketball and worked with young pregnant teen girls. Teaching was her passion, and she loved every kid she met. Zelma loved to needle point. She could make anything from calendars to crosses, picture frames to placemats for the tables. She taught her great-great nieces to needle point and enjoyed spending time with them in the last few years. Zelma was also an avid animal lover. She truly adored all animals and donated to various organizations that supported animals. Zelma loved bird watching and her favorite was the cardinal redbird. She had cardinal pajamas, blankets, trinkets and could even needle point you one if you asked. Most of all, Zelma loved the Lord, and each of her family members immensely. Zelma attended FUMC of Beeville, Central United Methodist Church and First Methodist Church of Brownwood. Zelma was preceded in death by her parents Thomas & Ruby, her brother William Cecil (WC) and sisters Roberta, Anita, Bonita and Bobbie. Zelma is survived by her Uncle Noel (Maryella), cousins Robert and Stephen, nieces Rhonda (Ron), Michelle, Vanita, Diana (Bill), and Angela (Jeff), nephews Michael (Christy), Tom (Tracy) and William Henry (Evelyn). She is also survived by several great nieces/nephews and great-great nieces/nephews. In lieu of flowers, you can make donations to the Burkett Cemetery.