Shirley D. Strickland

Shirley Diane Strickland was born in Portland, Oregon on August 23, 1951 to Bessie and Jessie D. Sims. On July 10, 2023, Shirley was called to Heaven and reunited with her loved ones who preceded her in death: her parents, Jessie D and Bessie Sims; her siblings, James Lee Sims, Jerry Sims and Hattie Mae Sims; her first-born son, Edward Strickland, Jr.; and her grandson, Deante Strickland. 

A “G Street” native [“G Street for Life”], Shirley attended Jefferson High School, where she was a  member of the Pep Squad. It was during high school that Shirley met her soulmate, Edward Dwain  Strickland. Shirley and Dwain began their family together, eventually married and were devoted to  each other throughout this life and into the beyond. Shirley was a loving mother of seven children and two stepsons.  

Shirley has always been all about family; her Sims family and the Strickland family she created with  her husband, Dwain. She was always extremely close to her mother, Bessie, and was inconsolable  when the beloved matriarch of the Sims family was called to Heaven in 1986. With the passing of  time, Shirley fought through grief and assumed her mother’s role as the family matriarch; caring for,  loving, and protecting her cherished family. Shirley was everyone’s favorite auntie, and she always  made each person feel like they were her favorite! 

Although she was strong and tough, Shirley truly had a heart of gold. She was a fun-loving jokester  who loved to laugh and reminisce with her friends and family. Her hobbies included cussing out  her husband (lol), taking money from her her kids during card games, calling her kids repeatedly  back-to-back until they answered the phone, and watching old black and white Western movies on  TV (Dwain didn’t have permission to touch the remote ). Shirley also loved cooking for her family.  Literally no one can duplicate her amazing food because she didn’t use written recipes or measure  ingredients. She was a natural and her food, including pork chops, pot roast with potatoes and  gravy, dressing, red beans and rice, and baked spaghetti (just to name a few), was the undisputed  best hands down! Shirley also loved food and had a new favorite snack every month.  

When Dwain first saw Shirley, he was on the football field and she was on the sidelines with her JHS  Pep Squad. Dwain said he felt his heart flutter and he knew he had to meet her. It wasn’t long  before he got his wish; Kibibi introduced him to the love of his life. They were young and sparks  flew immediately. But young love is complicated and dramatic; after 6 or 7 years and three children,  they went their separate ways. But true love won and they reunited. Dwain wants everyone to know  that he was so lucky and blessed beyond measure to have a second chance with Shirley. He vowed  to give her the best of himself and do everything he could to take care of her and provide her with  a comfortable life. They were married and blessed to enjoy 35 more years together, creating the  beautiful Strickland Family legacy. 

Our beloved Shirley leaves behind to cherish her memory, husband and soulmate, Dwain  Strickland; children, Tamara, Patrick (wife, Carmen), Jimmy (wife, Veronica), Jermaine (wife, Stacey),  Versa (significant other, Jeremy), and her namesake, Shirley, as well as stepsons, TJ (wife, Jamie)  and Damian; twenty-four grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sisters, Barbara Ruth, Bessie Lee, Betty Mae, Maudine, Joanne, Jean, Sandy, Pat,  Cynthia, Pennie, Robin, Sherry and Deborah; brothers, Bob, Jeff, Aaron, Jessie, Jr. and Anthony; and  a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.  

She will forever be remembered and missed dearly by each and every one of us. We love you

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