Aug. 8, 1940 – June 8, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Ernest “Pee Wee” Strickland, 71, of Natchez, who died Friday, June 8, 2012, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Daughters of Zion Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Strickland officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery under the direction of R.D. Mackel and Sons.

Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. today at the funeral home and Masonic rites at 6 p.m. and additional visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church.

Mr. Strickland was born Aug. 8, 1940, in Natchez, the son of Jessie Strickland and Louise Plummer Strickland.

He was a lifelong member of Daughters of Zion Missionary Baptist Church and a member of MWWTM Grand Jr. Masonic Lodge, Clover Hill No. 13, the Linwood Society and the Days Hunting Club. He was formerly employed with Holsum Bakery and retired from Great River Olds.

Mr. Strickland was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Melvia Droomgoole Strickland; and a son, Allen Strickland.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Yvonne Smith Strickland; two daughters, Harriet J. Murphy and Felicia Booker and husband, Kenneth; one son, Ernest Wayne Strickland, all of Natchez; five brothers, Willie Hayes of California, Otis Gaylor, Leroy Strickland and wife, Marilyn, and Walter Strickland, all of Natchez and the Rev. Robert Strickland and wife, Mary, of Woodville; five sisters, Ellen Hunt of Starksville, Vivian Hayes of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Martha Isaac and husband, Landy, Mary Woods and husband, Albert, and Cynthia Gaylor, all of Natchez; eight grandchildren with a special granddaughter, LaKendal Carridine and husband, Kendrick Sr.; three great-grandchildren, one special, Kendrick “Noodles” Carridine Jr.; daughter-in-law, Janice Strickland of Ridgecrest; sister-in-law, Edna Springs of Natchez; one uncle, Willie Plummer; one uncle-in-law, Walter Gaylor, both of Natchez; and three step-children, James Smith of Jacksonville, Fla., Andrew Smith of Madison and Michael Smith of California; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Pallbearers will be Masonic Brothers.