Tessie Jane Strickland Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Tessie Jane Brabham Strickland was born on August 6, 1954 in Marrero,Louisiana. Being born on her daddy's birthday, she was his birthday present.Tessie was a quiet child that always managed to win the hearts of those aroundher.She was a member of New Zion Baptist Church for most of her life. In fact,she met the love of her life while attending a Sunday School party. She andTommy were married for almost 48 years. They raised their four sons in the NewZion community of the sixth ward of St. Helena Parish. They have 11grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.Tessie loved to travel with her family, especially to the town of Silverton.One of her favorite things to do was riding trails through the mountains.She and Tommy were always the life of the party when they stepped on thedance floor. They won several contests, including a grand prize for a dance off.Tessie attended college at Southeastern Louisiana University andgraduated with a Bachelor of Arts at Baptist Christian College in Shreveport,Louisiana (while raising her four sons).For a total of 27 years Tessie demonstrated her love for teaching and madea positive impact in lives of students at ASC, Mt. Hermon, Kentwood Elementary,and Spring Creek Elementary.As an active member of the St. Helena Sixth Ward fire department, Tessieserved as both the secretary of the board and a firefighter.Her patriotism was evident since Tessie always flew an American flag intheir yard, often over a flower bed of red, white, and blue flowers.By just looking at her beautiful yard, everyone knew that Tessie hadinherited her mother's green thumb. As a life-time member of the KentwoodGarden Club Tessie served as an officer many times. She proudly won Yard of theMonth and Yard of the Year several times.Tessie is survived by husband, Tommy Strickland; sons, Joseph Strickland,wife Paula; Timothy Strickland, wife Becky; Charlie Strickland, wife Jessica;Trenton Strickland; brother, Jessie Reed; sisters, Ruth Blackmon, TheresaBlackmon, and Thelma Schenk. She went to her heavenly home to join her mother, Carmelita BarriosBrabham; her father, Thomas Joseph Brabham; her brothers, Edgar Joseph Reedand Timothy Brabham; and her brothers-in-law, Hugh Wayne Blackmon, BobbyStrickland, Eddie Earl Strickland.To know Tessie was to love her, and no amount of time would have everbeen enough to have had her with us. But we praise God for her life and her loveand we wait for the day when we will see her again. In the sweet bye and bye. . .our spirits will sorrow no more.

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Tessie Jane Strickland

August 6, 1954 - July 25, 2019