Helen Virginia Evans Strickland

Mrs. Helen Virginia Strickland, 87, of Sciotoville, Ohio, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, August 23, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.

She was married to Edward A. Strickland who preceded her in death in 1989. She had made her home the last four years with her daughter and son-in-law in Westerville, Ohio.

Mrs. Strickland was born Nov. 12, 1921, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to the late William Roscoe and Myrtle Bloomfield Evans.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Jim Wilson of Westerville, Ohio; two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles and Mary Lois Strickland of Dobson, N.C., and Stephen and Jeannie Strickland of Franklin Furnace, Ohio. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Chad Wilson and his wife Karla of Marysville, Ohio, Chris Wilson and his wife Loree of Sunbury, Ohio, Josh Wilson and his wife Alma of Pickerington, Ohio, Elizabeth Strickland Deacon and her husband Dan of Arlington, Va., Wesley Strickland and his wife Hannah of Santa Barbara, Calif., Mark Strickland and his wife Becky of Franklin Furnace, and Suzie Abrams and her husband Randy of Franklin Furnace; and 10 great-grandchildren, Nikki, Aaron, Emily, Jack, Georgiana, Maria, Kellen, Amelia, Ava, and Jade.

Also surviving are three sisters, Alma Payton and Patty Thompson of Sciotoville, and Peggy Whitehouse of Tonganoxie, Kan.; one brother and his wife, David and Kathryn Evans of Sciotoville; and one sister-in-law, Garnet Evans of Portsmouth.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Strickland was preceded in death by a sister, Irene Gammon; and a brother, Clarence Evans.

She was a member of Berean Baptist Church in Sciotoville. She graduated from Wheelersburg High School and was for years a member of the Sugar Grove Homemakers Club and the Over 55 Club of Franklin Furnace. She was a retired licensed practical nurse.

Helen was happiest when surrounded by her sisters and her children and their families all of whom looked forward to the pies she made for many family gatherings. With her sisters and friends she enjoyed traveling, bowling, swimming, playing Uno and eating out (especially pizza).

The family will receive friends at Swick-Bussa-Chamberlin Funeral Home in Wheelersburg on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Vernon Cemetery at Lyra, Ohio.

Online condolences may be made at www.swickbussachamberlin.com.

***********************************************************************