Reverend Darrell R. Strickland, Sr., 64, of Douglasville, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2008. He was born on May 29, 1943 in Douglas County, the son of Raymond E. Strickland and the late Evie Mae Smallwood Strickland. He started working with Big Apple/Food Giant when he was 18 years old and is the only one of his classmates to remain in the same business they started in after high school. He worked as a produce Manager for various grocery chains for 45 years. For numerous years he has served as teacher and deacon at Friendship Baptist Church in Douglasville. At age 52 he accepted God's call to preach and was ordained. Pastor Strickland, as he was affectionately called by his congregation at Corinth Baptist Church in Whitesburg, has served as pastor of the church for the past 3 years. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Leatherwood Strickland of Douglasville; daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Howell Edwards of Winston; son and daughter-in-law, Raymond Darrell "D.J." and Dyna Marie Strickland of Douglasville; father, Raymond Strickland of Winston; sister and brother-in-law, Helen S. and Jimmy Daniell of Douglasville; 3 grandchildren, Lauren Edwards, Eli Joseph Jordan and Randall James STrickland. Funeral Services will be conducted Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 3:00 PM from Friendship Baptist Church in Winston with Reverend Mark Rice and Minister Mike Mallory officiating. The body will be placed in state at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow in the Friendship Church Cemetery with Jeff Camp, Tim Adams, Donald Strickland, Richard Noles, Tim Boatwright, Jeff Collett and Greg Leatherwood serving as Pallbearers. Roger Smallwood and Thomas Price will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm, Tuesday, 11:00 am until 9:00 pm and Wednesday, April 30, 2008 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm. You may share your thoughts and memories in the online guestbook at www.hightowersmemorial.com. Hightower's Memorial Chapel of Douglasville has charge of arrangements. 770-489-2818