Ethel Virginia Stricklin

Ethel Virginia Bowden Stricklin, 91, died Wednesday, April 4th, after a brief struggle with pneumonia. A recent resident of Maryville, Ethel moved here from Tullahoma and was originally a native of Pelham, TN. Throughout her life, Ethel could be counted on to be a good friend and a champion of causes. Her careers in the Department of Human Services and as an elementary school teacher taught her to care about and have compassion for everyone. She loved to share her knowledge of gardening, cooking and crafts and did her best to convert her East Tennessee friends to joining her as a Democrat. Ethel cared deeply for her family and will be greatly missed by her daughter, Mary Stricklin Larrabee, son-in-law, Steve Larrabee, as well as her grandsons, James and Ben, and Ben’s wife, Christine, along with great-granddaughters Alanna and Shannon. Ethel also leaves behind many friends she has made through church, bridge and the Red Hats. She missed her friends from Tullahoma, as well as her Grundy County and Humphreys County relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Upton Beall Bowden, MD and his wife, Della Wilder Ramsey Bowden, sister, Della Henrietta Bowden Ray, brother, Charles Upton Bowden, husband, Robert Howell Stricklin (Hal), son, Robert Howell Stricklin, Jr. (Bob) and her daughter, Nancy Ann Stricklin, Ph.D. As a former Title I reading teacher, Ethel was always an advocate of literacy so we ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ethel Bowden Stricklin Scholarship, MTSU Foundation, PO Box 109, Murfreesboro TN 37132. A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled at a later date. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ethel Virginia Stricklin please visit our Sympathy Store.