Ann Fitzpatrick Strickland passed away peacefully at home on March 21, 2016 surrounded by family and loved ones at the age of 89.

She was a native of Austell, GA. She was survived by her four daughters, Diane Strickland Evans, Linda Strickland Messer and her husband, C. Douglas Messer, Peggy Strickland Landrum and her husband, Donald R. Landrum, and Ginger Strickland Gee and her husband, Charles E. Gee. Grandchildren, Carrie Messer Weir and her husband, Elliott D. Weir, Daniel P. Landrum and Matthew S. Landrum, Chandler Brooke Miller and her husband Matthew S. Miller, Jeffery D. O’Neal, Charles A. Gee and Michael A. Gee, Great Grandchildren Travis E. Weir and Tyler D. Weir, Kason T. Landrum and Camden T. O’Neal.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Claude C. Strickland, Jr. sisters, Kathryn Fitzpatrick O’Callaghan Ackett, Sara Fitzpatrick Burden, brothers W.H. (Harris) Fitzpatrick, Jr and Fred Cureton Fitzpatrick.

In addition to her role as homemaker, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Ann was a true pioneer in advancing women in the local business community. She was hired at Austell Box Board in 1949 and promoted to Office Manager in 1951. She was often promoted and named Corporate Secretary of Austell Box Board in 1972. She guided the company’s computer automation program from 1973 to 1977 and on January 1, 1977 was the first and only woman elected to the position of Vice President and Secretary of the Austell Box Board Corporation. In 1984, she again was the first and only woman elected to Vice President of Administrative Services and Secretary of Caraustar Industries (the parent company of Austell Box Board). She retired at the age of 70 in 1996 as a Senior Officer of Caraustar Industries after completing over 47 years of service all the while training her successors.

Ann also served her community by volunteering at Cobb General Hospital, serving on the Board of Directors of Sweetwater Valley Community Action Mission (CAMP) and was totally devoted to her church, Austell First United Methodist Church. She served on the Pastor/Parish Relations Committee, taught her Sunday School Class, served as Treasurer, member of the Administrative Board and sang in the choir for more than twenty years. She devoted her time, energy and resources in furthering the Church’s goals. Ann traveled with her family all her life and especially loved the beach and taking many “girl” trips with her daughters and granddaughters.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday 1:00PM at Austell First United Methodist Church with Rev. Michael Martin officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 PM at Davis- Struempf Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Ann’s wishes would be to donate to the Austell First United Methodist Church, 5705 Mulberry Street Austell, GA 30106.