Mrs. Lillian Strickland

August 7, 1929 - August 29, 2014

Lillian Haley Strickland, born August 07, 1929, to Pinkney Farris and Lelia Long Haley was the last of the Haley children, preceded by her 9 brothers; Herbert, Lacola, Willis, Coy, Woodrow, Joe, Tesla, Frank, and Gene; and one sister, Merle. She died August 29 of complications from spinal stenosis. Born and raised in Lavonia, GA she left home at age 16, days after graduating from Lavonia High School, to work for Southern Bell Telephone Company at 51 Ivy in Atlanta. Starting as a telephone operator, she worked for the company for over 36 years, in the offices located at 51 Ivy, East Point and Mableton where she became a group traffic manager. Before retiring, she worked at Perimeter Center Place in the real estate section helping to inventory Southern Bell's property before its divestiture from AT&T. Coming out of retirement, she went to work at Fort MacPherson in East Point, again working in telecommunications with many Bell retirees. Lillian went to work fulltime in the late 1940's and early '50s at a time when it was traditional for most women to remain at home. Southern Bell Telephone was a very good opportunity for women at that time. She rarely took sick days and was awarded a charm bracelet with several special charms of Southern Bell's famous company bell logo. Each charm recognized years of perfect work attendance. She loved her job and co-workers, having a very strong and dedicated work ethic that often included going to work on icy days. In 1951 she married Stanley Strickland also from NE Georgia. Together they traveled the US, attending his annual WWII reunions for nearly 50 years, belonging to a close group of friends. They had two daughters, Valora and Alicia. Lillian loved her extended family from the country, often returning to her roots in Lavonia to visit. She liked to crochet afghans when her vision was still good but in later years suffered from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), making handicraft and reading extremely difficult. She also enjoyed baking cakes and sharing recipes. For many years, she grew African violets, giving them as gifts to friends and family. She and Stanley had a large backyard garden for over 20 years where he grew vegetables for her to can and put up. She spent many summer days canning green beans, freezing corn, okra, field peas, tomatoes and much more. She is survived by her two daughters and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Funeral services for Mrs. Strickland will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 02, 2014, at the Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Bocian officiating. Interment will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Royston, GA. The family will receive friends at Pruitt Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday evening. The family is at the home. Pruitt Funeral Home in Royston, GA is in charge of arrangements.