Major  Joseph  Ellis  Strickland Sr.,  76 of Birch River, went home to be with the Lord on June 15, 2024.  He was the son of the late Buell Strickland and Rosalea Frame Poley and was born at Dille November 1, 1947.  Joe was a member of the Big Union Baptist Church at Dille and served as a deacon. He was recruited and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. in January of 1965 and graduated from NCHS in June of 1965. Joe left for basic training on Parris Island on June 14,1965. He served in Vietnam from June 15,1968 to July 3,1969.  Joe served his country for 24 years, from 1965 to 1988 when he retired. He continued to work for the military office association and retired from there in 2003. Joe dedicated his entire career to the United States Marine Corp.

He was also preceded in death by one sister Kista Holcomb.

Joe married Sharon Sigman on April 4,1970; they were married for 54 years.

In addition to his wife, those left to cherish his memory:

Daughter                   Cheryl Dodrill (Tim)

Son                             Joseph "Ellis" Strickland Jr. (Betsy)

all of Birch River

Grandchildren          Raven Butcher (Darby), Joseph Matt Dodrill, Seth and Gregory Strickland

Great Grandson       Asher Dodrill

Sister                          Rita Dodrill (Rock)

Brother                       Keith Strickland                                all of Dille

Along with all his brothers and sisters in Christ.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. Saturday June 22nd in the Nazarene Camp Tabernacle at Summersville with Pastor Peter Shaffer officiating. Burial with military honors, will follow in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery at Glade Creek.  Friends may call at the Waters Funeral Chapel in Summersville from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening.

Condolences: watersfuneralchapel.com