Obituary of Rachel Elizabeth Walls 3 Dec 1943 - 21 Feb 2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rachel Elizabeth Walls Strickland February 21, 2017 Rachel Strickland, 73, was granted her angel wings on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in her south Weldon home. Rachel was born December 3, 1943 in Halifax County to the late Robert G. Walls and Elizabeth Libby Carter Walls. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas B. Red Strickland; her brother, Robert Buddy Walls; her sister, Barbara Blake and her ever devoted son-in-law, Curtis Richardson, Jr. Her life seemed too short to many but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of ones existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her outspoken personality and stern hand and gentle smile will remain in our hearts forever. She enjoyed family, cooking and most of all gardening and yard work. Rachel spent 36 years working at JP Stevens, Bibb and Westpoint Mills. Her final days were spent surrounded by the warmth of close family and friends. Although tiny and frail she gave us all such courage and hope. She reminded us of the preciousness of life. She is survived by her close friend, George Ivey; her brother, Ronald Ronnie Walls; her two daughters, Sheryl Barkley Mead Ormond and her husband James Jay of New Bern; Anita Strickland of the home; her son, Buddy Buck Barkley of Bicknell, IN; her grandchildren, Richard Barkley and Madrey Clay of Winston-Salem, Douglas Mead, Michael Mead, Darrell Mead II and his wife Leanna Bryant Mead, Amanda Richardson and Curtis Bryant Richardson; nine great-grandchildren. Graveside Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, February 24, 2017 at Cedarwood Cemetery in Weldon with Rev. Roy Porter officiating.The family will receive friends from 7:00 8:30 P.M. Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Birth: 3 Dec 1943 - Weldon, Halifax, North Carolina, USA] [Death: 21 Feb 2017 - Weldon, Halifax, North Carolina, USA] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ## Narrative Summary of the Obituary Rachel Elizabeth Walls Strickland, born 3 Dec 1943 in Halifax County, died 21 Feb 2017 in South Weldon, remembered by family and friends for her warmth, resilience, and love of family, gardening, and work. Graveside services were held 24 Feb 2017 at Cedarwood Cemetery in Weldon, officiated by Rev. Roy Porter. The family received friends 23 Feb 2017 at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service. ## Transcript Rachel Elizabeth Walls 3 December 1943 - 21 February 2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rachel Elizabeth Walls Strickland 21 February 2017 Rachel Strickland, 73, was granted her angel wings on Tuesday, 21 February 2017, in her South Weldon home. Rachel was born 3 December 1943 in Halifax County to the late Robert G. Walls and Elizabeth "Libby" Carter Walls. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas B. "Red" Strickland; her brother, Robert "Buddy" Walls; her sister, Barbara Blake; and her ever-devoted son-in-law, Curtis Richardson, Jr. Her life seemed too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of one's existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her outspoken personality, stern hand, and gentle smile will remain in our hearts forever. She enjoyed family, cooking, and most of all, gardening and yard work. Rachel spent 36 years working at JP Stevens, Bibb, and WestPoint Mills. Her final days were spent surrounded by the warmth of close family and friends. Although tiny and frail, she gave us all such courage and hope. She reminded us of the preciousness of life. She is survived by her close friend, George Ivey; her brother, Ronald "Ronnie" Walls; her two daughters, Sheryl Barkley Mead Ormond and her husband James "Jay" of New Bern; Anita Strickland of the home; her son, Buddy "Buck" Barkley of Bicknell, IN; her grandchildren, Richard Barkley and Madrey Clay of Winston-Salem, Douglas Mead, Michael Mead, Darrell Mead II and his wife Leanna Bryant Mead, Amanda Richardson, and Curtis Bryant Richardson; and nine great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, 24 February 2017, at Cedarwood Cemetery in Weldon with Rev. Roy Porter officiating. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, 23 February 2017, at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Birth: 3 December 1943 - Weldon, Halifax, North Carolina, USA] [Death: 21 February 2017 - Weldon, Halifax, North Carolina, USA] ## Vital Statistics Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Name | Rachel Elizabeth Walls (also known as Rachel Elizabeth Walls Strickland) | |--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Age | 73 years | | Birth | 3 December 1943; Weldon, Halifax, North Carolina, USA | | Death | 21 February 2017; Weldon, Halifax, North Carolina, USA | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ## Table of Relationships ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Name | Relationship | Place of Residence | |------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Rachel Elizabeth Walls Strickland | Decedent | South Weldon, North Carolina, USA | | Robert G. Walls | Father (predeceased) | [Not stated] | | Elizabeth "Libby" Carter Walls | Mother (predeceased) | [Not stated] | | Thomas B. "Red" Strickland | Husband (predeceased) | [Not stated] | | Robert "Buddy" Walls | Brother (predeceased) | [Not stated] | | Barbara Blake | Sister (predeceased) | [Not stated] | | Curtis Richardson, Jr. | Son-in-law (predeceased) | [Not stated] | | George Ivey | Close friend (survivor) | [Not stated] | | Ronald "Ronnie" Walls | Brother (survivor) | [Not stated] | | Sheryl Barkley Mead Ormond | Daughter (survivor) | [Not stated] | | James "Jay" Ormond | Son-in-law (survivor) | New Bern, North Carolina, USA | | Anita Strickland | Daughter (survivor) | South Weldon, North Carolina, USA | | Buddy "Buck" Barkley | Son (survivor) | Bicknell, Indiana, USA | | Richard Barkley | Grandchild (survivor) | Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA | | Madrey Clay | Grandchild (survivor) | Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA | | Douglas Mead | Grandchild (survivor) | [Not stated] | | Michael Mead | Grandchild (survivor) | [Not stated] | | Darrell Mead II | Grandchild (survivor) | [Not stated] | | Leanna Bryant Mead | Grandchild-in-law (survivor) | [Not stated] | | Amanda Richardson | Grandchild (survivor) | [Not stated] | | Curtis Bryant Richardson | Grandchild (survivor) | [Not stated] | | Nine great-grandchildren | Great-grandchildren (survivors) | [Not stated] | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ## Publication Details - Publication Date: 21 February 2017 ## Other Relevant Information - Rachel spent 36 years working at JP Stevens, Bibb, and WestPoint Mills. - She was remembered for her enjoyment of family, cooking, gardening, and yard work. - Her final days were spent surrounded by family and close friends.