Betty Zane Strickland Pierce

Betty Zane Strickland Pierce (96) passed away on June 17, 2024 at her home surrounded by her children. She was born on July 10, 1927 in Calvary, Georgia to the late Murray T. Strickland and Mildred Shelfer Strickland. After graduation from high school, she attended and graduated, at the age of 18, from Georgia Southwestern College with her teaching certificate and taught the first two years of her career in Pavo, Georgia. While furthering her education at Valdosta State College, she accepted a teaching position in Lakeland and met her future husband, McDonald (Jabo) Pierce. They married on June 2,
Betty taught primary school for thirty years and was an active member of the Lanier County PTA. Betty faithfully served her church, Unity Methodist, in Lakeland, Georgia, teaching Sunday School, Bible School and was an active member of the Women’s Society of Christian Services.
Along with her parents and husband, Betty is preceded in death by siblings, Kenneth Strickland, Nina S. Scank, Larry Bruce Strickland, Murry Fredrick Strickland, Carolyn S. Currie and Jimmy Wilson Strickland.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Terri P. Camp of Eatonton, Georgia, Julie P. Suber (Chris) of Macon, Georgia, Cathi P. Allison (Gerry) of Jacksonville, Florida, her son, David McDonald Pierce (Cecelia) of Valdosta, Georgia. Her legacy also includes twelve grandchildren, Scott Camp, Kyle Camp, Lindsey C. Rickman, Nathan Suber, Emily S. Ivey, Laura A. Beesmer, Anna S. Forman, Benjamin Allison, Jessica Pierce, Justin Pierce, Rachael P. Bennett and Caleb Pierce and three great grandchildren, Ansley N Camp, Reese P. Rickman, Sawyer Z. Rickman, sister-in-law Jessie P. Hudson, brother-in-law Harold Currie, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, June 22, 2024 in Unity Church in Lakeland, Georgia with burial to follow in Unity Church Cemetery. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Unity Methodist Church and Hospice of South Georgia in Valdosta, Georgia. Kind words and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Pierce family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services of Lakeland