June 10, 1939 – September 1, 2023
Gerda Elfrieda Henkler Strickland, age 84, passed away Friday, September 1, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Climax, Georgia, surrounded by her daughter and loved ones. Services for Mrs. Strickland will be held Sunday, September 10, at 2:30 p.m., at the Cadwell Chapel of Cox Funeral Home, Dr. Gerald Little will officiate. Gerda will be buried in Beulah Thomas Cemetery beside her husband, Bobby. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. before the service.
Gerda Elfrieda Henkler Strickland was born in Kassel, Germany on June 10, 1939, the daughter of Karl and Anna Henkler. She married the love of her life Bobby Strickland, in 1958 and moved to the United States in 1959. She spent 18 years following her husband from base to base in the military. After he retired, they settled in Bainbridge, Ga., where she became known as the alteration lady at Cannon Cleaners. She sewed for them for 20 years. Over 63 years of marriage, she was a devoted mother to three children, Grandma of nine and Oma to 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She served her country as the wife of a United States Airman and was very proud when she earned her citizenship to the United States. She was honored to be a member of the American Legion Post 62.
She loved her family, camping, traveling, sewing, and working in her yard. She and her husband, Bobby, traveled the United States with their camping buddies.
Survivors include her children, son Chuck Strickland and wife Karen of Apache Junction, AZ; her daughter, Nancy Kennedy and husband Randall of Climax, GA; her daughter-in-law, Lee Strickland of Cumming, GA; nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Strickland; her son, John Strickland; her parents, Karl and Anna Henkler; her brother, Karlheinz Henkler; her sister, Waltraut Kramer; and her sister, Helga Schultz.
On-line condolences may be sent at www.Coxfuneral.net. Cox Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
