October 3, 2024, 51, Seven Springs —

Shannon Blalock Strickland, 51, a resident of the Seven Springs area, passed away early Thursday morning, October 3, 2024, while at home.  Though recently diagnosed with a terminal illness, her passing came quite unexpectedly.

Preceded in death by her father, Thomas Elliot Blalock; her mother, Sandra Mathis Blalock Marham; and her only brother, Jonathan Elliot Blalock, Shannon leaves behind her husband, Dwayne Strickland; daughter, Mikayla Starnes of Newport; son, Robert Dwayne Strickland of Seven Springs; grandson, James Sutton of Newport and Calypso;  step-mother, Cecilia Wise of Mount Olive; and many dear and loyal friends.  She is also survived by the Strickland family who loved Shannon deeply and thought of her as their own.

She was employed with Villari Foods of Warsaw where she was involved with scheduling.  Prior to Villari, she had worked at Butterball in quality control office management.  

Shannon, whose personality was larger than life itself, brought cheer everywhere she went.  She loved bright things, jewelry with shine and bling, and plenty of it, fashionable clothing, and fun and laughter.  An immaculate housekeeper, she enjoyed working in her yard, especially mowing the lawn and in complete Shannon-style.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, neighbor, and friend, and she will be sorely missed.

The Strickland family will receive friends on Sunday, October 6, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home, and at other times at the residence. Funeral services will be held by the graveside on Monday, October 7, at 11:00 a.m. in the Strickland Family Cemetery. Presiding will be Bishop Ralph Parker. The family welcomes floral tributes, as well as memorial gifts which may be made to the charity of one’s choosing.