Thula Elizabeth Strickland
October 14, 1934 ~ January 14, 2014
Funeral services for Thula Elizabeth Strickland, 79, of Hughes Springs, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Hughes Springs First United Methodist Church, with Bro. Ricky Vestal and Bro. Jeremy Cain officiating. Burial will follow at Sardis Cemetery, under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. There will be a time of visitation from 5 until 8, Friday evening at the funeral home. Thula was born October 14, 1934 and passed away January 14, 2014 at her home. Thula attended school in the Hughes Springs school system. She was the Drum Major for the Mustang Band. She was elected Class Favorite for many years and served, along with her husband to be, Thomas Earl Stickland, as Sophomore Class Favorite. Thula graduated as valedictorian of her senior class and went on to college at SMU. She attended SMU from 1952 until graduation in 1956. While at SMU, Thula was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and also Lambda Chi Alpha Honor Society. She was also nominated as the Chi Alpha Fraternity Sweetheart in 1954. Thula graduated from SMU with honors. During the next few years she began her teaching career in Navasota, Texas while her husband attended Texas A&M University. Upon moving back to Hughes Springs, Thula began operating a private kindergarten out of her house. The big house on the corner was the perfect spot to continue her teaching career, which lasted over 40 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Nevelle McMillan and Thula Mae McMillan; and her husband of 49 years and eleven months, Thomas Earl Strickland. She is survived by her loving son, Shannon Strickland and precious daughter-in-law, Lisa Strickland, and their five children, all of Hughes Springs; her daughter Stephanie Huff and her husband Mike Huff, and their four children, all of Paris; her sister, Inagene Bennett and husband Dr. George Bennett; several nieces and nephews; and all of her precious little kindergarten students who she loved so dearly.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Sorry for your loss. Know she is with God.
Our Deepest Sympathy!
Our deepest sympathy!
Such a special lady. She touched so many lives. Prayers to all of you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. She will be missed.
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Ms. Strickland, know you are all in our Thoughts and Prayers.
Mrs Thula Beth provided an abundance of people in this town the foundation at an early age to be the people they have become today. The Lord has another angel in his midst. God Bless her soul.
Mrs. Thula Beth was an amazing lady and will truly be missed. I hated to tell my two daughters of her passing, because I knew how much they both loved her. Thula taught both of them in Kindergarted. The love she had for her kids was beyond messure. Shannon and Stephanie you were so blessed to have Mr. Thomas Earl and Mrs. Thula Beth for parents. Love and prayers, Rusty, Kelli Robin and Whitney
I've known Mrs. Strickland took her exit for a couple of days, yet when I saw her lovely photo this morning in the paper it really hit me. This woman I have known very personally for roughly 41 years has left. She was so tiny, it's unbelievable to me that she could pack that booming personality inside it. She was my kindergarten teacher. Her class room was the place where I was urged to express my imagination. She was the first person that made me aware that expressing creativity was it's own kind of magic. I was in and out of her home constantly because of my friendship with her daughter Stephanie and she always made me feel so welcome to be there. I loved getting including in the burger cookouts she and Thomas Earl would put together. I can't believe I have lived long enough that both Thomas and Thula exist only in my memories. They are good memories though. I'm thankful to have them and very thankful for the part of my history that coincided with Thula's time here. I never hear the children's song "Hokey Pokey" and not think of turning my self around in Mrs. Strickland's kindergarten class room. I hope she is resting in peace. I have nothing but the most heartfelt gratitude for all the kindness and love she showed me. Shannon and Stephanie, my thoughts are with you and your families. Your mom was a trip. She will be missed greatly. She lives on in the lives of her kids, grandchildren and all those she touched along the way. Thank you for sharing your mother with thousands of children that filed through her class rooms and thank you for sharing her with me.Much love,Clinton Gandy
We are truly saddened by this news. Thula was a treasured friend, and definitely one who marched to a different drummer. She knew her God, and He knew her.
So Sorry for your loss. she was a very sweet lady!
I have many wonderful memories of Thula. She was such fun! And I got to "play school" literally at their house! She always had a smile and a hug to share!
Shannon and Stephanie, Please know that both you and your families are foremost in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that you will feel the loving arms of our Heavenly Father as He cuddles you close and walks you through the days ahead. I love you. Caro Griffis
My brother, Charles Robert Allen, and I would like for you to know that we are saddened to learn of Thula Beth's demise. She was a very special person in my brother's life during their days at SMU. We will be praying for you and your family. May God give you the strength to sustain this great loss of someone so dear and special. Mary Janet and Charles Robert
Dear Shannon and Stephanie, I was so surprised and saddened to learn of your mother's death. I'm so sorry. She was such a lady, down to earth, had class and style. I loved her very much, shared memories with her on the phone many times after your father died. As a young child and even now, I remember the beautiful wedding ring she wore. I will never forget her soft voice. She and Thomas loved each other very much.I regret missing the funeral and had you on my mind all the way to Ft. Smith,Ar.I love you both and God Bless You now and always