Gloria Ann Whitaker Strickland

Shelby - Gloria Ann Whitaker Strickland, born on February 8, 1940, in the charming town of Asheville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, in Shelby, North Carolina, at the age of 85. Throughout her life, Gloria was a formidable presence, known for her unwavering strength and steadfast faith.

A lifelong resident of North Carolina, Gloria found joy in the simple pleasures of life and remained deeply committed to her beliefs and values. She was a proud member of the Macedonia Baptist Church, where she nurtured her spiritual journey and built lasting connections with her community.

Gloria's life was a testament to the power of resilience and devotion. Her strong-willed nature inspired those around her to stand tall in the face of adversity, while her deep faith provided a beacon of hope and comfort to all who knew her.

Gloria enjoyed many world traveling adventures alongside her husband to Rome, England, Scotland, Great Britain and many more. She loved her flower gardens and watching the wildlife from the deck.

Preceded in death by her parents, James and Margaret Whitaker, and her step-daughter, Beth Strickland Burch, Gloria cherished the memories of her family and carried their legacy forward with grace and dignity.

Those left to cherish Gloria's memory are her husband, Earl Strickland; Step-son, Keith Strickland (Rita) Grandchildren; Renota Strickland-Isenhour (Matthew), Kristy Hubbard (Chad), Misty Ledbetter, Christopher Burch (Jennifer). Great Grandchildren; Nicholas Strickland,Jaxson Bowman, Dalton Hubbard, John Bradley Ledbetter, Braden Ledbetter. Great Great Grandchildren; Andrew Strickland, Ashton Strickland. Brother, Fred Whitaker (Pat); nephew's, Jason Whitaker (Jenny), Henry Whitaker, Mike Plummer (Anna), Matt Plummer (Lisa).

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at TerraBella Shelby, VIA Health Partners, Lindsay Coyle,Elizabeth Scism DNP and Macie Alexander.

In honoring her wishes, a private family service will be held at a later date.