James Ernest Strickland

James Ernest Strickland

Rev. Jimmy Strickland, 48 of Cashiers, NC passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2020. He was born January 22, 1972 to James Oliver and Lois Cockrell Strickland in Cabarrus County, NC. Jimmy loved Jesus and ministry was the biggest and most important part of his life. Preacher Jimmy, as he liked to be called would always end any conversation with “I Love You” and “Jesus Loves You”.  He never met a stranger and loved everyone he encountered. A big participant of his church, Jimmy was a youth pastor, deacon and music director. Jimmy was a talented musician, playing the guitar, 6 string banjo, the keyboard and a writer of music and singing. One of his greatest accomplishment was making a professional recording of a CD at KHZ Audio Recording Studio in Clarkesville, Ga and also his own recordings in his home.  In addition to his love of music, he loved his community and would volunteer at Blue Ridge School reading for the kindergartners and dressed up as Santa and the Easter Bunny for the children. Rev. Rick Platt and Jimmy taught guitar and keyboard lessons to students at Blue Ridge School.  He would help the coach and say opening prayer for the Special Olympics and always would give people the Gideon Bible if they needed one. Jimmy was awarded the Good Neighbor Award from the Cashiers Crossroads Chronicle and was an Honorary Fireman.  Jimmy was a much loved member of the Church of Sapphire. It has been said “you ain’t been prayed for until Jimmy prays for you”.

Jimmy is survived by his parents, James and Lois Strickland of the home, aunts and uncles, Carol and Stephen Foster of Cashiers, Earline Caldwell of Cashiers, Patricia Turner of Cleveland, NC,  Barbara Osborne of Landis, NC, Dot Cockrell of Mooresville, NC and Mary Ruth Dixon of Salisbury, NC. Many cousins and along with special cousins, Jerry and Sara Prewitt and Lisa Myers. Jimmy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond and Fay Brewer Cockrell and paternal grandparents, James Everett and Annie Pruitt Strickland.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday, July 11, 2020 at the Church of Sapphire with the Rev. Rick Plot, Rev. Frank Jones, Rev. Gary McCall and Rev. Berlis Powell officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Pleasant Grove Church, 1858 Bull Pen Road, Cashiers, NC 28717 or The Church of Sapphire, NC-281, Sapphire, NC 28774

Bryant Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Strickland family. Online condolences can be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

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