Hannah Eavleen Watkins Strickand

Mrs. Hannah Eavleen Watkins Strickand, age 97 of New Holland, passed away peacefully at her residence on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 after a long illness.

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, May 23, 2014 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of the Main Campus of Memorial Park Funeral Home with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Services will be conducted by Reverend Billy Poole and Reverend Randy Strickland, with Graveside services conducted by Reverend Stephen Merck. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 22, 2014 from 7 - 9 pm and Friday, May 23, 2014 from 1 - 2 pm, prior to the service, at the Main Campus of Memorial Park Funeral Home.

A beloved wife and mother, Eavleen had lived in the same New Holland home for more than 75 years. She was the daughter of the late Arthur and Lillie Sosebee Watkins of Dawson County and was born on August 28, 1916. Eavleen married Silas H. Strickland of New Holland on December 21, 1936 and at the time of his death in 2000 the two had been husband and wife for nearly 65 years. She was a member of East View Baptist Church and faithfully attended services there until she fell ill in 2011. During her illness, she was frequently visited by family members and wanted especially to express her love to two special nieces, Marie McQueen and Diane White.

Mrs. Strickland is survived by her brother, Guy Watkins, her sister, Lorene Mathis, her children, daughter, Juanita Merck of New Holland; sons & daughters-in-law, Brad & Barbara Strickland of Oakwood and Randy & Evelyn Strickland of Atlanta; daughter & son-in-law, Beverly & Rodney Brumbalow of Gainesville. Survivors also include grandchildren, Gail Forrester, Karen Davenport, Stephen Merck, Jonathan Strickland, Amy Strickland Sweeney, Christopher Strickland, Andrew Brumbalow and Scott Brumbalow; eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, five sisters and two brothers.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.