Earnest Strickland, 66, Rockingham, NC, passed on Monday, February 24, 2025.  Funeral service will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Freedom Baptist Church, 987 N US Hwy 1, Rockingham, NC  28379.

Viewing/Family hour will be held from 11am until 12pm at Freedom Baptist Church prior to Service.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.nelsonfuneralservice.com.  Nelson Funeral Service is serving the family.

Obituary

Deacon Earnest Strickland was born February 12, 1959, in Goldsboro, NC to Marie Williams and raised by his late grandparents Henrietta and Peter J. Strickland. Deacon Strickland attended Southern Wayne Senior High School, where he was a star athlete in football, disc and track. After graduating High School in 1977, he was accepted into North Carolina Central State University (NCCU) where he continued to shine as a star football player and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreational Science. After earning his degree from NCCU in 1981, Deacon Strickland was recruited by and played for the semi - pro football team The Carolina Storm. While playing with The Carolina Storm, Deacon Strickland also began what would become a long and successful career in transportation. He drove locally and long distance, eventually starting his own business, Strickland Trucking, LLC.

While Deacon Strickland had a nearly 40-year long career in transportation, his most important life's work was in service to God Almighty and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Deacon Strickland gave his life to Christ and received the Holy Spirit, becoming a Deacon shortly thereafter. Over the years, Deacon Strickland has been a staple in his community, volunteering his time and energy to Habitat for Humanity, Our Daily Bread and the Krystal Dawn Retreat; just to name a few. His service didn't stop there. Deacon Strickland also brought comfort as a Chaplain for Hospice, taught Sunday School, and participated in several ministries throughout his service to God. He would quickly decline any show of appreciation with, I'm just tending to my Father' s Business.

Preceding Deacon Strickland in death is his son Andre Shonecrew Persall and his sister JoAnne Williams.

To cherish his memory, Deacon Strickland leaves his son: Earnest Strickland II, (Suenn Rodriguez), his God-son Richard "Ricky" Corr, his ex-wife Teresa Diane Davis, his stepdaughters Shakira Heath (Elder John H. Heath, II), Tarsha Davis (Claude McRae), 8 grandchildren: Andre Persall II, Jaylen Persall, Thalia Persall, Claude "CJ" McRae, Camora McRae, John "JT" Heath III, Gabrielle Davis and Kaia Heath. He also leaves, his brothers James Williams, Jonah Williams, Charles Williams and his sister Patricia Williams. Additionally, he leaves behind his cousin and dear friend Barbara Rose Williams, his church family, a host of nieces, nephews, and an army of cousins and friends.