WILSON — Bessie Johnson Strickland, 81, formerly of Social Plains Road, Middlesex, died March 24 at WilMed Nursing Care Center. Funeral was March 27 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service chapel, Knightdale. Burial was at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens, Zebulon.

She was born April 11, 1927, in Johnston County. She married Charles Edward Strickland in 1943 and shared their life together until his death in 1995.

Surviving: daughters, Janice S. Driver of Spring Hope, Judy S. Carter and husband M.C. of Middlesex, Jonnie S. Driver and husband Carlton of Middlesex; grandchildren, Melia Edwards, Tammy Bissette, Melissa Barnes, Heather Driver; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Lynda Massey, Doris Price, Joyce Long.