Obituary For Isabelle Dixon Strickland

PATTERSON ‹ Mrs. Isabelle "Bell" Dixon Strickland, 91, passed away Monday afternoon (Sept. 12, 2005), at the Strickland home place on the Satilla River in Patterson surrounded by loving family members devoted to her care. The oldest surviving member of a pioneer Pierce County family, she lived her life committed to her Lord Jesus Christ, her children, her many descendants and her church family. Her love for life was exemplified through her compassion and concern for her fellow man by always placing others before herself. She instilled values, a Puritan work ethic and service to others in each of her six children. These principles influenced her children as they serve their communities in their chosen professions. She will be fondly remembered for the warmth and hospitality she extended to family, friends and strangers alike. Affectionately known as "Miss Bell" or "Granny," she always extended love and kindness to anyone crossing her path in life. Even today when people visit the banks of the Satilla near her home they feel the warm embrace of her kind and generous spirit.

Mrs. Strickland was a daughter of the late Dan and Sallie Chancey Dixon and was also preceded in death by her husband, Andrew J. Strickland; a son-in-law, Dorsey Ross Knowlton; four sisters and seven brothers.

Survivors are four daughters and a son-in-law, Betty Jean Knowlton, Genevive Pope and Angela Bell Strickland, all of Patterson, and Patricia and Eddie Cox of Brunswick; two sons and daughters-in-law, A.J. and Diane Strickland and W.D. and Susan Strickland, all of Patterson; a sister, Betty Dixon of Patterson; six brothers, R.L. Dixon and William Dixon, both of Patterson, Lester (Dale) Dixon of Deland, Fla., James Dixon of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Pat (Jeannie) Dixon and Walter (Jeanette) Dixon, all of Blackshear; 17 grandchildren, Millie (Bert) Walker, Buddy (Amy) Knowlton, Len (Carla) Knowlton, Jill (Brian) Dowling, Star (Noel) Harris, Tara (John) Aguirre, Chanda (Robbie) Bourgeois, Shannon (Pat) Bennett, Sherry (Jamie) Bowen, Stacia Strickland, Dan Strickland, Mabry (Doug) Williamson, KaDee Strickland, Gege (Neil) Nettles, Howard (Jessica) Cox, Bonnie (Gerald) Dent and Wendee Labelle (Dewayne) Kennedy; 25 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Funeral will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at Laura Chapel Baptist Church. Visitation will be held this evening from 6 to 9 at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Members of the Senior Adult Sunday School Class are asked to serve as honorary pallbearers and should meet at the church by 2:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to Laura Chapel Baptist Church, 4814 Laura Chapel Road, Patterson, Ga. 31557; or Hospice Satilla, 1921 Alice St., Suite A-1, Waycross, Ga. 31501. Sympathy may be expressed by signing our online register at www.pearsontreadwell.com. Pearson-Treadwell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.