Hazel Laverne Perkins Strickland

Hazel Laverne Perkins Strickland, 86, passed away peacefully Friday, December 6, 2019, at her home in Thomasville, NC. She was a resident of Jonesboro, Arkansas for nearly 80 years.

Born on October 3, 1933, in Bono, AR, Hazel was the daughter of the late William Albert and Christine Lou Rebecca McMurturey Perkins. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sons, Sterling Dean Strickland and James Aaron Strickland; sisters, Nell McGrath and Martha Strickland; and brothers, Clifford Perkins, Leon Perkins, and Lavaughn Perkins. Hazel worked as an advocate for women's employment for the Displaced Homemakers Program with the Department of Labor in Jonesboro. She had been a resident of the Thomasville area for the last seven years and attended Rich Fork Baptist Church.

Hazel, better known as Mother, Ma, or Maw treasured being with her family. She also enjoyed reading, sewing, home decorating, fishing, hunting, playing cards, and shopping. She volunteered with the Women's Auxiliary at Methodist hospital and at the Cancer Center of St. Bernard's following her retirement.

Hazel is survived by two children, Jerry Denny Strickland (Vickie), of Jonesboro, AR, and Treva Strickland Miller (Todd), of Trinity, NC; three grandchildren, Johnna Strickland Dobbs (Travis), of Jonesboro, AR, Jessica Beaver (Luke), of Thomasville, NC, and Jerry Denny Strickland, III, of Nashville, TN; and 10 great grandchildren, Cooper and Dylan Dobbs, of Jonesboro, AR, Elizabeth, Lucas, Ashlee, Aaron, Olivia, Ella, Abigail, and Evelyn Beaver, all of Thomasville, NC. Also surviving are two beloved sisters-in-law, Ruby Perkins and Judy Perkins, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 10th from 5-7pm, and Celebration of Life Service on Wednesday, December 11th at 10am, both at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro.