Tony Lemuel Strickland

Tony Lemuel Strickland passed away on February 3, 2016, in Tallahassee, Florida. Lemuel was born on March 15, 1938, to D.L. Strickland and Myrtice McKenzie Strickland on the same piece of land in Sopchoppy, Florida where he lived for his entire life. He graduated from Sopchoppy High School. Lemuel married Geraldine "Gerri” Strickland on January 1, 1959, and they had two daughters, Cynthia "Cindy" Kay and Debbie Lynn. Lemuel was a fireman for the City of Tallahassee for 20 years until he left to pursue his passion for beekeeping with his father, D.L., with their company, Strickland Bees, for years. Beekeeping was followed by several years spent oystering and crabbing with one of his dear friends, Clyde Daughtry. At age 57, Lemuel returned to school and became a certified law enforcement officer. He went to work with the Wakulla County Sheriff's Department as a correctional officer for Sheriff David Harvey, one of the men that he most admired and respected. He spent the next 16 years at the Sheriff's Department in a career and with people that he truly loved and treasured. He retired at age 72 to care for his wife, Gerri, who predeceased him on March 25, 2014, after 55 years of marriage. Lemuel is survived by his two daughters, Cindy Strickland Melzer (Warren) of Tallahassee and Debbie Strickland Chane of Sopchoppy; his four grandchildren: Joshua Lee Jordan of Tallahassee, FL; Shelby Elizabeth Chane of Sopchoppy; Jacob Mitchell Chane of Sopchoppy; and Maggie Melzer Smith (Matt) of Panama City Beach, and one great grandson, Matthew Gray Smith. Visitation will be held at Bevis Funeral Home, Harvey-Young Chapel at 3106 Crawfordville Highway in Crawfordville, Florida on Saturday, February 6, 2016, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m., with burial to immediately follow at West Sopchoppy Cemetery. The family would welcome you to join them in a celebration of Lemuel's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association, 2851 Remington Green, Suite C, Tallahassee, FL 32308 or The American Cancer Society, 2619 Centennial Blvd, Suite 101, Tallahassee, FL 32308. David Conn of Bevis Funeral Home, Harvey-Young Chapel in Crawfordville is assisting the family with arrangements. (850-926-3333 or www.bevisfh.com).

Tributes

Tony Lemuel Strickland

March 15, 1938 - February 3, 2016