Robert Dean Strickland

Robert ìBobî D. Strickland, 71, of Hendersonville, beloved husband, father, and papaw, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at the Elizabeth House. He was a native of Madison County and lived most of his life in Henderson County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Lee and Elizabeth Ruff Strickland, and his brother, Billy Lewis Strickland, who died serving his country in Vietnam.

Bob attended Edneyville High School, prior to entering the U.S. Army for four years, during which he was stationed at Fort Benning, GA and in Korea. He was employed at Kimberly-Clark for over 32 years. He was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church, was an avid golfer, and he loved country music.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sybil Maybin Strickland; two daughters, Alicia Eddy and her husband David, of Hendersonville, Pamela Shehan and her husband Brian, of Granite Falls, NC; grandchildren Nick and Nate Eddy, and Mason and Brady Shehan; three sisters, Margaret Gilliland of Hendersonville, Betty Burbage of Hendersonville, Gloria Longworth and her husband Roger of New Tazewell, TN, a brother, Jerry Strickland and his wife Becky, of Hendersonville; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be at Maranatha Baptist Church at 1:00pm Saturday, with Rev. Blair Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with military rites conducted by Hubert M. Smith American Legion Post #77, Hedrick-Rhodes VFW Post #5206, and DAV Chapter 14. Pallbearers will be Gary Lockaby, Brad Johnson, Randall Johnson, Lex Justus, Kent Nicholson and Jeff Pace; honorary pallbearers will be his golfing buddies, Charles ìChuckî Jackson, Fred Dotson, Tommy Jones, Bobby Bennett, Eddy Owens, Shane Bradley, Ray Godfrey, Jim Ball, and Tom Hatchet. The family will receive friends from 11:30am to 1:00pm, prior to the service and at other times will be at the home. Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, Elizabeth House, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.