A memorial service for Mrs. Dola Merle Taylor Strickland, 80, of Bainbridge, will be held Sunday, July 18, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Ivey Funeral Home with Rev. Stanley Phillips officiating. Interment will be held at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service at Cheryl Strickland’s home, 302 West 10th Street, Donalsonville, GA 39845.

Born September 3, 1929 in Climax, Mrs. Strickland passed away Thursday, July 15, 2010, at Memorial Manor Nursing Home.

Mrs. Strickland was a graduate of Climax High School, where she played on the basketball team. She was an LPN and worked for Bainbridge State Hospital for more than 25 years. She was a member of Climax Baptist Church and shared her home, love and care with kids in Climax.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Hill Strickland Jr.; her daughter, Nancy S. Cross; her brothers, Bill Taylor and Dempsey “Red” Taylor; and her sisters, Alma Faircloth, and Nettie Chester.

Survivors include her sons, Ben Hill Strickland III of Attapulgus, Stan Strickland of Headland, Ala., and Tim Strickland of Colquitt, Ga.; her daughter, Cheryl Strickland of Donalsonville, Ga.; her brother, Johnny Taylor of Donalsonville; her sister, Janette Sapp of Climax; 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Ivey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.