Patricia Ann Paynter Strickland, 100, of Concord, GA died October 21, 2024. Born on June 22, 1924, in Arkadelphia, AR, to Burt and Macy Paynter, Pat's family soon moved to Little Rock. She attended elementary school, junior high, and high school there, and in 1941, she began her college education at Ouachita Baptist College, where she aced her first chemistry test and continued to excel. Later, she transferred to Memphis State College, where she met her future husband, Army Captain Roger Strickland, on a blind date to see Jeanette McDonald in concert.
While at Memphis State, Pat took a course in engineering drawing (drafting) and did well. She was offered and accepted a job with the Rotary Lift Company, which manufactured hydraulic lifts for loading airplanes for the Army. Notably, she was the only woman in a room full of men and began with a salary of $100 per month—$25 less than her male counterparts. This salary discrepancy and other inequities remained a point of irritation for her throughout her life. She later continued her education at the University of Mississippi before marrying Roger on March 11, 1946, at the Second Baptist Church in Little Rock.
The couple made their home in Concord, GA, started a family and built a house utilizing plans Pat had cut from a Good Housekeeping magazine. She considered herself a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none and she used that talent to full effect living in a small town. She sang harmony with and led the church choir, started a girl scout troop, organized a craft group and a craft bazaar fund-raiser, volunteered at church for Girls Auxiliary, and took a turn at leading the Community Club, the Garden Club, and the Missionary Society. During the turbulent years of 1968 – 1971 Pat chose to teach math and science to 7th graders at Pike County Schools. She taught Sunday school, both children and adults but not always with unadulterated success. She once wrote, “Thank goodness my children have the intelligence to question some of the things they have read and have been told. I hope I have been a catalyst for some of that.” Pat was humbled to be recognized as a “Gracious Lady of Georgia” after being nominated by the folks who knew her well and comforted to know that maybe she counted for something in the community.
As a widow Pat changed her life, moved to Sun City Hilton Head, South Carolina and took full advantage of all the activities and opportunities that she found there. She especially enjoyed making new friends, taking new adventures, learning new skills, winning bridge games, singing in the chorus, and performing in plays. She loved visits from family and old friends in Sun City where she found life exciting and full and of her own making.
Pat moved back to Concord in 2021 where she was spoiled by son John and daughter-in-law Ginny and the rest of the town that knew her through the years. She continued to make new friends through Sunday School, Silver Sneakers exercise group and her bridge pals. She loved people and they loved her.
Survivors include daughter Kathy Rice and husband Matthew, their children, Adam & Gina, Timothy & Laura. Son John Strickland and wife Ginny, their children, Jeanine & Jamie, Amber & Mark, Macy & Paddy, Tess & Jonathon. Daughter Sarah McEnaney and husband Bill. Great Grandchildren, Zach, Amelia, Ada, Silas, Pepper, Clark, Micah, Isaac, Ella, Alex, Kaylee, Christopher, Sean and Erin. Great Great Grandchildren, Luke, Beckham, Deacon and Caden.
A Celebration of Life service is being planned. Moody-Daniel Funeral Home
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