June 15, 2025, 85, Goldsboro —

Kenneth Ray Strickland, known to many as Coot Strickland, went to be with the Lord soon after the noon hour on Sunday, June 15, 2025.  

Mr. Strickland, 85, was a long-time resident of the Mount Olive area.  He was a member of Jones Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church.  He had served in the United States Army and had been a heavy equipment operator with several area companies.

Funeral services will be held by the graveside Thursday, June 19, at 2:00 p.m. at Wayne Memorial Park.  Officiating will be Pastor Jeff Dail.  The Strickland family will be receiving friends at the cemetery immediately after the service, and at the residence at other times.

Mr. Strickland is survived by his wife, Shirley Weaver Strickland.  June 22, 2025 would have been their 57th wedding anniversary.  Also surviving are three sons and their wives, Jerry and Kelly Strickland of Mount Olive, Bill and Sabrina Strickland of Trenton, and Danny and Tammy Strickland of Goldsboro; five beloved grandchildren, Zachary, Ryan, Mikayla, Madison, and Tyler Strickland; several in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

He now joins in heaven, his sister, Nyoka “Jackie” S. Sutton; a young brother, William Strickland; and parents, Paul Strickland and Estelle Thornton Strickland Wall.