MARGARET STRICKLEN

Obituary of MARGARET STRICKLEN On October 19, after a short illness, Margaret B. Stricklen, 86, of Umatilla, went home to be with her beloved husband, Martin. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Margaret loved her family, her church, and her community activities. She was always willing to serve. She was born in Fort Valley, Georgia on July 16, 1924 to Garland and Willie Butler, both of Fort Valley. She was an only child but enjoyed close relationships with aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends. After graduation from high school, she attended Young Harris College in the Georgia foothills. During World War II she served as a Western Union agent in her home town. She met and married her husband, Martin and moved to Umatilla as a bride. She became an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Umatilla where she contributed much of her time and many of her talents. She taught Sunday school for many years. She was also instrumental in obtaining an historical building designation for the First United Methodist Church chapel. She was a member of the Umatilla Woman's Club for over fifty years where she served as President twice and chairman of numerous committees. She served as the State Project Chairman for two Presidents of the Florida Woman's Club organization. She also served as Director of District Seven for two years. After her husband's death, she managed the family business, M & J Groves. She represented the growers as a Director for the Umatilla Citrus Growers Association for over 30 years. She was the Umatilla Citrus Growers Association's representative to Citrus World in Lake Wales and served as a Director from 1984 to 1997. She was preceded in death by both her father and mother, Garland and Willie Butler, and by her husband, Martin. She is survived by her two daughters, Margo Odom (Russell) of Umatilla, Joy Blount (Michael) of Apopka, grandsons, Ryan and Christopher Blount, Apopka, step-grandson, Jerry Odom (Amanda) of Ocala, step-granddaughter, Tammy Staples (Neil) of Great Britain, and step-great grandchildren, Ryle Odom of Ocala and Teegan Staples of Great Britain. Visitation The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the Beyers Funeral Home, Umatilla. Services Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 24, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church Chapel with Reverend Gordon Kunde officiating. Interment Interment will follow the services at the Glendale Cemetery, Umatilla. In lieu of flowers In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Martin E. and Margaret B. Stricklen Nursing Scholarship at Lake Sumter Community College Foundation.

MARGARET STRICKLEN

July 16, 1924 - October 19, 2010