Obituary of Bernice Strickland

Bernice (Harris) Strickland, 86, of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at Jane Phillips Regional Medical Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma after battling a long term illness. Bernice was born on November 27. 1933 to Hosie and Sally Harris in Wabbaseka, Arkansas. She grew up in Plumerville, Arkansas and attended Plumerville Elementary School. On December 21, 1948 she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Willie “Hamp” Strickland in Plumerville. The couple later made their home in Coffeyville, Kansas in the 1960s. For a time in her younger years, she worked at the New Castle Café as a dishwasher. Aside from her work at the café; Bernice was primarily a homemaker for the majority of her life. She was the head matriarch of the family and had a hand in helping raise all the kids and grandkids. She kept everyone fed; she kept everyone in line and most of all made everyone feel her unconditional love. Bernice was very funny and loved to crack jokes and loved to flirt. Bernice was a woman of strong faith. She knew and loved the Lord; was a long time member of the Church of God in Christ in Coffeyville, Kansas. While leading by example, she encouraged all of her family to have a good personal relationship with God also. To some she was Mrs. Strickland, but, to us she was mama and granny. It was with her that our family always had a place to stay, a place to eat; a place to stay and be loved. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Hosie and Sally Harris; loving husband, Hamp Strickland; first set of twins, LillyAnn and Wilbur; daughter, Gladys; sons, Willie and Thomas; brother, Johnny and sister/best friend Venora (ma puddin) Black. She is survived by her loving children, Diane (James) Franklin, William “Chug” Strickland (Kassandra), Martha (Ricky) Littlejohn , Paula Strickland; two special grandchildren she raised as her own Patricia (Will) Strickland of the home and Rochelle Strickland. Bernice has 13 grandchildren, 24 great grandkids, 16 great-great grandkids, plus a host of special nieces, nephews and bonus grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She also leaves to cherish her memory her goddaughter, Monique Davis. Donations can be made to David W. Barnes Funeral Home to help defray the cost of funeral expenses. Private family burial will be held in Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville, Kansas. Friends may sign the guest register at David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. The funeral home would like to remind everyone of the 10 people or less gathering limitations as set forth by the state. This is to notify everyone that this will be strictly enforced by the funeral home and the city cemeteries as well. We appreciate everyone's cooperation and understanding during this difficult time.