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Lealon Phillip “Phil” Strickland

March 30, 1948 ~ April 4, 2022

WHITAKERS - Lealon Phillip "Phil" Strickland, age 74, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 4, 2022. Born in Nash County, NC on March 30, 1948, he was the son of the late Lealon Edward Strickland and Josephine Vincent Strickland. Phil graduated from North Edgecombe High School Class of 1966 where he excelled a pitching baseball, enjoyed being on the basketball team and charming the ladies. After high school he proudly served in the Air Force and was a Vietnam War Veteran and after working with his brother Ken in construction, he joined the US Navy and was a retired Navy Veteran. Phil made good and lasting friendships which continued to this day. While in the Navy, Phil was stationed in Hawaii with Jeff Kells of New Jersey. Jeff was one such friend who visited frequently these past few months in order to help Phil out during his battle with cancer. Phil loved Gethsemane Baptist Church which he attended from 10 years of age off and on to the present. He was the energy behind the birth of the Men's Prayer Breakfast Meeting which is still thriving. He served as a deacon and along with his brother, made many physical improvements. Phil is survived by his wife of 21 years, Bette Keelor Strickland, brothers Stephen (Dawn), Kenneth (Pam), sister Jennifer Barkand and brother Dr. David (Dave) Strickland, his daughter Teshia Gulas Searcy (Stephen) of Montgomery, AL, grandsons Blake Strickland and Bradley Gulas. Phil was also loved by Bette's children sons Robert (Jennifer), Andrew and Elizabeth Keelor as well as her grandchildren. Phil loved his family and was a good "Uncle Phil" to his nieces and nephews. Phil's Aunt Melba MGonigel, of Houston, TX, whom celebrated her 95th birthday the day before Phil's birthday, is cherished as the remaining sibling left of the ten Strickland children. A Funeral Service to celebrate Phil's life will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 7430 Seven Bridges Road, Whitakers, NC 27891 with Rev. Dennis Gregory, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow the service at Gethsemane Baptist Church Cemetery. A visitation will be from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM prior to the service in the Gethsemane Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Phil's memory to Gethsemane Baptist Church, PO Box 715, Whitakers, NC 27891. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Gethsemane Baptist Church Fellowship Hall 7430 Seven Bridges Road Whitakers, NC 27891 Friday 4/8, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm A visitation will be from 12:00 AM to 1:30 PM prior to the service in the Gethsemane Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Service Gethsemane Baptist Church 7430 Seven Bridges Road Whitakers, NC 27891 Friday 4/8, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm A Funeral Service to celebrate Phil's life will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 7430 Seven Bridges Road, Whitakers, NC 27891 with Rev. Dennis Gregory, Jr. officiating. Cemetery Gethsemane Baptist Church Cemetery 7430 Seven Bridges Road Whitakers, NC 27891 Friday 4/8, 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Burial will follow the service at Gethsemane Baptist Church Cemetery.

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  1. Phil was just an all around good person. He will be missed by many. He was a friend and a family friend. And all of us Mark’s will miss him and always remember him May he Rest in Peace.

  2. Bette and family, my heart goes out to each of you. May God grant you comfort and peace during these most difficult days and for all the days to come. Mr. Phil touched many lives during the time he walked this earth. Those memories will endure and hopefully will bring you a smile from time to time until you see your sweet Phil once again.

  3. Phil was like a brother to me. I first met Phil during Navy survival training in San Diego. We hit it off and became close friends. He constantly amazed me in how knowledgeable and skilled he was in so many areas, electrician, plumbing, carpentry and automobiles (especially muscle cars). I learned so much from Phil over the years, not only how to makefix things but how to be a better man. Denise and I will miss hearing his voice and seeing his smiling face but he will always be remembered through all the great times we had with him.

  4. Always loved Phil we had good times working in tobacco. Going to school. Our families were friends. He will be missed.

  5. We will greatly miss Phil. He was a wonderful friend who always didn’t hesitate to help someone in need. He was shining example of God love.

  6. Prayers for his family and friends,glad to have known Phil during my High school time playing baseball at North Edgecombe .He was a good man,serving God and Country.

  7. There are some good men and then there’s Phil Strickland … A rare breed of man. May God bless him and keep watch over his family.

  8. I just want thank all of you who were kind enough to leave wonderful messages about Phil. It does my heart good to read them. Watching the video provided makes me cry and laugh and helps me heal. God bless you all.


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