Claire Strickland

Eleanor Claire Strickland

Eleanor Claire Strickland, 65, of Valdosta, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at South Georgia Medical Center.

Born in Valdosta, Georgia, on July 14, 1960, to the late Allan Julian Strickland III, and Jean Jordan Melton, Claire grew up beneath the soft Georgia sun — a hometown girl through and through. She attended Valdosta High School, where she proudly marched as a rifle leader for the Valdosta Marchin’ Cats, her spirit as bright as the brass of the band she loved. After graduation, she continued her studies at Valdosta State University, carrying with her a lifelong love of learning and community.

A devoted mother, Claire poured her heart into raising her two daughters, her greatest joy and life’s purpose. She guided them with gentleness and strength, teaching perseverance, grit, and grace, and reminding them always to follow their dreams.

Faith was the steady song of her life. Claire loved the Lord deeply and served Him joyfully, leading vacation Bible schools with her radiant smile and unwavering devotion. She grew up in First United Methodist Church and later shared her gift of music at Crossroads Baptist Church, where she played the flute in the orchestra, her melody a reflection of her heart.

A proud Phi Mu and a true Southern lady, Claire carried herself with timeless elegance. You could spot her about town, pearls shining softly against a sun hat, her laughter bright as magnolia blossoms. She had a gift for finding beauty in the everyday: a well-set table, a freshly bloomed magnolia, a quiet morning breeze.

Her favorite memories were stitched from the fabric of home: afternoons spent with her father at the Strickland Cotton Mill, playing among the spools of thread; long summer days water skiing at Twin Lakes; the joy of making strawberry jam from berries she’d picked herself. Yet nothing brought her greater happiness than riding her beloved horse, Sugar, through open fields, wind in her hair, sunlight on her face, and freedom in her soul.

Claire is survived by her special companion, Mike Chapman; her daughters, Katie Steele (Ben) of Goleta, California, and Emma Buescher (Justin Mowdy) of Bozeman, Montana; her adored grandson, Maverick Steele; her stepmother Jeanette Strickland of Valdosta, Georgia; her brothers, Allan J. Strickland IV (Kim) of Valdosta, Georgia, Jordan Strickland (Diana) of Royal Palm Beach, Florida; sisters: Kathy Smith (Allen) of Clayton, North Carolina, Kellie McTier (Tom) of Valdosta, Georgia and Julie Lovein (Dan) of St Simons, Georgia; sister in law Janet Strickland of Hahira, Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her father, Allan J. Strickland III, her mother, Jean Melton, and brother, Brian Strickland.

The family will receive friends at Music Funeral Services on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made in her memory to the Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County. Condolences may be shared on the obituary page of www.musicfuneralservices.com.

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21