Jean Grooms Stricklin, 78, of Hamlet, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 9, 2026 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst.
She was born Aug. 12, 1947, in Rockingham. Her parents were the late Jesse Lee Grooms and Endie Womack Grooms.
Jean married her childhood sweetheart, James “Jimmy” Stricklin, and they both shared in their earlier years the joy of roller skating. She also loved to bowl and was in a bowling league.
Jean worked for many years as a teacher assistant with Fairview Heights Elementary School and Second Baptist Christian Academy where she loved the children and not only was instrumental in teaching but nurturing her students as well. During her tenure with Second Baptist Christian Academy, she also served as director. She had a passion for children, especially those with special needs. Jean also served for many years as Sunday school secretary with Second Baptist Church in Hamlet.
Reading, especially Nicholas Sparks novels, was one of her favorite pasttimes, as well as gardening. Jean was known to have a green thumb and enjoyed the outdoors with her garden and flowers. Of the many enjoyments in her life, her greatest love was her family. She loved all of her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 61 years, James “Jimmy” Stricklin Sr. of the home; her children, Gina Stricklin Wright (Dwayne) and Angela Stricklin Butler (James), both of Hamlet, and Jamie Stricklin (Amy) of Rockingham; grandchildren, Chad Wright, Hunter Wright (Victoria), Kaylin Wright (Michael Hurst), Dakota Stricklin (Kristin), Bailey Preslar (Chris Bridgers) and Camden Preslar (Gabby); great-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Walker, Braelyn, Kalynn, Mileigh, Chandler, Casey, Collins, Easton, Lily and Audrey; brother, David Woolard of Hamlet; sisters, Debbie Berry of Sarasota, Florida, Shirley Grooms of Richmond, Virginia, and Betty Meehan of Corpus Christi, Texas; sister-in-law, Nancy Stricklin of Hamlet; brother-in-law, Johnnie Vickers of Hamlet; special niece, Kathy Jacobsen (Larry); and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, March 13, 2026 from 11 a.m.-noon at Second Baptist Church, Hamlet.
The memorial service will begin, following visitation, at noon with Pastor Chris Hawks officiating.
Memorials may be made to: The American Cancer Society, online at cancer.org; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, online at stjude.org; or Second Baptist Church Building Fund, 518 4th St., Hamlet, N.C. 28345.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Stricklin family.
Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
