LORIS | Velma Johnson Strickland, 85, of Hulls Island Road, passed away Saturday morning, March 14, 2009 at her residence following an illness. Mrs. Strickland was born August 20, 1923 in Cool Springs, a daughter of the late George Samuel Johnson and the late Fodie Miller Johnson. She was a homemaker and a member of the Buck Creek Baptist Church. Mrs. Strickland was predeceased by her husband, Brice Strickland; a grandson, Zachary Strickland; a special friend, Simeon Mixon; two brothers, Calvin Johnson and Maryland Johnson; and two sisters, Virginia Smith and Lutie Harrelson. Survivors include her two sons, Krom Strickland and his wife, Bonnie, of Bishopville, and Jerry Strickland and his wife, Marsha, of Nichols; her stepmother, Emma Gore of Loris; four sisters, Eunice Cox and Myrtle Holmes, both of Loris, Peggy Gore and her husband, John, of Thomasville, N.C., and June Rodham and her husband, David, of Surfside Beach; one brother, Bobby Johnson and his wife, Betty, of Loris; three grandchildren, Captain Stan Strickland of the Horry County Police Department and his wife, Eve, of Loris, Jay Brice Strickland of Florence, and Zane Strickland and his fiancee, Lisa Jackson of Mullins; three great-grandchildren, Garrett Strickland, Trinity Strickland, and Jordan Odell; two sisters-in-law, Doris C. Johnson and Doris S. Johnson, both of Loris; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Ward Funeral Home in Loris. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2009 from the Grace Baptist Church of Horry County with the Rev. Marcus Fowler and the Rev. Larry Allen officiating. Burial will follow in the Antioch Cemetery in Loris. Please sign a guest book at _TheSunNews.com_ (http://thesunnews.com/) . Memorials may be sent to Grace Baptist Church of Horry County, 1040 Justice Loop, Loris, SC 29569; or to Buck Creek Baptist Church, 11483 Highway 905 North, Longs, SC 29568. Ward Funeral Home of Loris, (843) 756-9273, is serving the family. Published in The Sun News on 3/15/2009 **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220439616x1201372437/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)