Amanda Jolene Strickland

Amanda Jolene Strickland, age 82, passed away November 19, 2024 in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Amanda was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 31, 1942. She was adopted by John Oscar Johnson and Sabery Estelle Taylor Johnson. She began her life with a small family but after meeting Alvin C. Strickland, Sr while working at Mary’s Drive-in in Biloxi she immediately became an important part of a big loving family! Amanda was a graduate of Biloxi High School and lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She retired from the Gulfport City School System and was a devout Christian. Amanda was very active with the Moss Bluff Senior Citizen Center in Lake Charles and loved playing bingo and spinners with her grandson Adam. She dedicated her life to serving others and family was her passion. Amanda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. 

Mrs. Strickland was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Alvin C. Strickland, Sr.; her biological parents, Mark Winkley Locke and Peggy E. J. Markasich; and her adoptive parents, John Oscar Johnson and Sabery Estelle Taylor Johnson.

Amanda is survived by her daughter, Sylvia Lynn Terrell and her husband, James of Gulfport; son, Alvin C. Strickland, Jr. and his wife, Jennifer of Lake Charles, LA; brother, Steven Ferenz of Albuquerque, NM; four grandchildren, Derek Hardison, Thomas Tucker, Sarah Lea, and Adam Wade Strickland; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Amanda is also survived by her “partner in crime”, Allen White of Lake Charles whom she met at the Moss Bluff Senior Citizen Center 10 years ago. Allen and his family meant the world to her.

The first visitation will be 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Monday, November 25, 2024, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport. The second visitation will be 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be 12:30 pm at Biloxi National Cemetery.

The family has requested that any donations be made by check, payable to CCOA, in the name of Amanda Strickland for Moss Bluff Senior Center. Please mail checks to 3950 Gerstner Memorial Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70607 or call (337)474-2583.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the Strickland family.

Please share memories and condolences at www.riemannfamily.com .