Madelyn Joan (Briggs) Strickland

Madelyn Joan (Briggs) Strickland
1932-2018

Madelyn Joan (Briggs) Strickland, of Asheville, N.C., passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on June 14, 2018, near Raleigh, N.C.

She is survived by her son, James William Strickland, and his wife, Joann (Smith) of Spartanburg, S.C.; daughter, Elizabeth Nina Strickland of Raleigh, N.C.; and son, Peter Briggs Strickland, and his wife Cindy (Holloway) of Angier, N.C.; her brother, William Harrison Briggs, and his wife, Sandra Jean (Burns) of Brevard, N.C.; her uncle, Thomas Frederick Kenny, and his wife, Maxine of Sarnia, Ontario; three grandchildren, Christopher Scott Strickland, and his wife, Erin (Rich) of Spartanburg, S.C.; Stephen Lee Strickland and his wife, Maggie (Lally) of Carlisle, Pa.; and Sadie Leigh Strickland of Angier, N.C.; and the delight of her old age: two great grandchildren, Samuel Henry Strickland and Mary Scott Strickland of Spartanburg, S.C., as well as beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She was looking forward to meeting Stephen’s and Maggie’s new baby due in November.

"She was a graduate of Stephens College and Duke University and received her master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill."

She was predeceased by her father and mother, Henry Harrison and Madelyn Wilkinson (Kenny) Briggs of Asheville and her sister, Deborah Kenny (Briggs) Lynch of Denver, Colo. She was a graduate of Stephens College and Duke University and received her master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lived in Jacksonville, N.C., for more than 20 years and was very active in civic affairs. She then lived in Chapel Hill, N.C. for 16 years while she worked at Duke Medical Library; after which she retired to her hometown of Asheville, N.C. She also made her winter home first in Everglades City, Fla., then in Longboat Key, Fla.  

She was a lifelong democrat, an avid gardener (a member of the French Broad River Garden Club) and a supporter of many causes, among which were hospice, orphanages, clean air organizations, Manna Food Drive, and Meals for Wheels.

Friends who wish may send donations to: Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, N.C. 27607, or Manna Food Bank, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, N.C. 28805.

A private graveside service will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, N.C., later this summer.

Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Ave., Ashville, N.C. is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent through the website www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com

SERVICE:
Later This Summer
Private Graveside Service
Calvary Episcopal Church, Fletcher N.C.

DONATIONS:
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, N.C. 27607, or Manna Food Bank, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, N.C. 28805.