Merlin Garcia Strickland

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Merlin Garcia Strickland, who entered eternal rest on September 26, 2025, at the age of 89. She was born on April 11, 1936, in Gretna, Louisiana, where she lived most of her life before making her home in Covington, Louisiana, for the past 13 years.

Merlin touched the hearts of so many people with her kindness, generosity, and love. A beauty both inside and out, she was crowned Miss Louisiana in 1955 and proudly represented her state in the Miss USA Pageant. Yet her greatest pride and joy was always her family, whom she cherished deeply.

Merlin was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. James Strickland; her parents, Thomas and Clara Garcia; and her sisters, Carolyn Wolfram and Beverly Scales. She is survived by her children, James Strickland III (Misty), Susan Strickland, and Carole Nungesser (Eric); her devoted daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Strickland; and her brother, Thomas Garcia (Sherry). She was the beloved grandmother of Dr. Jessica McMichael (Ty), Jimmy Strickland, Dr. Matthew Nungesser (Anna), Brett Nungesser, and Grace Nungesser; and the adoring great-grandmother of Abby, Kate, Vivian, Tyler, Rhys, and Scout. We also want to express our immense gratitude to Merlin’s caretakers, Angel Galloway and Tammy Williams, for their loving devotion to her health and happiness.

Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of her family and the many treasured friends who were blessed to be in her life.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Mothe Funeral Home (2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA). Visitation will take place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a service and interment at Westlawn Cemetery.