Mrs. Betty Strickland, age 62 of Blue Ridge, passed away Tuesday, August 9, 2005 after a three year courageous battle with cancer. She was born on January 11, 1943 in Paris, TX to Aubrey Weldon Spradlin and Juanita Pierce. On November 25, 1968 she married Lewis W. Strickland in Oklahoma. Her smile and great kindness will be greatly missed by all. She was known as “Grandma Betty” to many children. The family would like to thank everyone, family and friends, for all of the support and thoughts for Betty while fighting this monster disease. Special thanks to everyone at Primo Microphones, Dr. Monte Jones, and his staff, Dr. Eller, and the Texas Oncology for all of their support. We should all do as the song says, “live like you are dying” because life is too short. Survivors include children, Mark Buckner and Suzette Sirkel of Blue Ridge and Edna Justice of Princeton, grandchildren, Jason and Danielle Sirkel of Blue Ridge and Rosie Justice of Princeton; her great-granddaughter which is due in October; and sons-in-law, Mark Sirkel and Johnny Justice; her sisters, Lottie Rawlins of Arizona, Pat Thomas of Blue Ridge, Wanda Rhine of Arkansas and Penny Hooper of McKinney; brothers, Waylon Pierce of Dallas, Jimmy Pierce of Farmersville, Jerry Pierce of McKinney, and Jeff Pierce of Blue ridge; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She is also survived by her two aunts, Helen Rawls and Mary Jo Brumley; and lots of other family members that were all dear to her heart. Her loving husband of 25 years, Lewis W. Strickland, her parents, her stepfather, Penn Pierce; two brothers, Billy Pierce and Dewey Spradlin preceded her in death. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, August 11, 2005 at Stoney Pointe Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM Wednesday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home.