Annie Ruth Locklear Strickland, of Highway 130, Maxton passed away on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 at the age of 88.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 at the Richard Boles Funeral Service Chapel officiated by the Rev. Billy Clark. Burial will follow the service in the Strickland Family Cemetery.

Mrs. Strickland was born Aug. 7, 1921 in Robeson County, first born daughter of the late Ida Mae Locklear Chavis and the beloved wife of the late Stanton Strickland, Sr. Annie was a devoted homemaker, a precious mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Annie was also preceded in death by two sons, J.C. Strickland and Robert Neal Strickland and all of her siblings.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her 13 children, Margreate Simpson of Vass, Shelby Strickland, Virginia Bates, Stanton “June” Strickland, Jr., Louise Emanuel, David Strickland, Patricia Strickland, Charles Jeffrey Strickland, Brenda Butler, and Mitchell Strickland, all of Maxton, and Delois Clark, Victoria Jackson and Barbara Locklear, all of Laurinburg; 36 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren and five great great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2 at Richard Boles Funeral Service.