Keith Allen Strickland

Keith Allen Strickland, age 60, of Wadley passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, October 24, 2021. The family will greet friends from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, October 30 at May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Mark Jones and Mr. David Harris will officiate.

Keith was a Washington County native, the son of Harry Eugene Strickland and the late Mary Ann Alexander Strickland. Keith graduated from Columbia High School. After graduation, Keith relocated to Tennille, Georgia and worked at AIC.  He then returned to Lake City where he began a career in the timber industry.  Keith met and married his first wife, Carole and they had two children together, Lindsey and Sean Strickland. Throughout his career, Keith worked for multiple timber businesses in various positions until advancing to sales and purchasing. It was during this period where Keith met Shelia, his second wife, and love of his life.  Keith and Shelia have one daughter together, Elizabeth Strickland.

Keith relocated to the Tampa area to work as a salesman at Sunray Marine’s Boat Dealership in Tampa, Florida. Keith was an avid outdoorsman and was an expert hunter and fisherman. He took great pride in sharing his knowledge and expertise with others. In 2017, Keith returned to Wadley, Georgia to be closer to his aging parents. Keith was known by all as a kind and generous person. He was the life of the party, never met a stranger, and was always willing to help those who were less fortunate. His larger-than-life personality drew others to him, which enabled him to build numerous life-long friendships. He was a very loving, selfless individual who always placed the needs of his family first. Keith will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife, Shelia Lee Strickland of Wadley; children, Lindsey Kale Strickland and Sean Alexander Strickland, both of Lake City Florida and Elizabeth Ann Strickland of Wadley; stepchildren, Kyle Black of Sandersville and Daniel Anderson and Samantha Anderson Burrows all of Altus OK; grandchildren, Mackenzie Phelan, Charles Phelan, Mattie Anderson and Brentlee Burrows; father, Harry E. Strickland of Tennille; sisters, Lori Anne Clark and her husband Bradley of Statham and Kathy Barker and her husband Dan of Sandersville; nieces and nephews, Clay Barker, Grace Barker, Kristina Jackson and Steven Ebelsheiser and numerous extended family.

The family will be at the Strickland residence on West Calhoun Street in Wadley. May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements. Condolences may be shared at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com