ForeverMissed
Large image
Eating homemade ice cream at the lake.
Menda Carol Reeves Strickland relocated to heaven on May 15, 2021, surrounded by her family.         

Menda was born on December 4, 1945 to Bessie O’Briant Reeves  and Newman Lee Reeves of Durham, North Carolina. She was a 1964 graduate of Durham High School.  After graduation, she devoted her life to the care of her four daughters and husband of 56 years, Edwin Randall Strickland.  Menda was known for her kind heart; always giving to those less fortunate. She enjoyed playing with her grandchildren and children at their home away from home at Kerr Lake. Family always came first for Menda and she loved nothing more than making them laugh with her light hearted amusement (or antics).  

Menda is survived by her husband, Edwin, her daughters; Wendi Strickland Austin (Alan), Amy Renee Stickland of the home, Tami Strickland Brock (Alan), Sandy Kaye Shaw (Ryan),  and grandchildren; Calan Austin, Carli Austin, Parker Brock, Collin Brock, River Shaw, Raelyn Shaw and Great Granddaughter, Lilli Gill. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Kenneth Reeves. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Menda’s name to:
www.hopereins.org, click here or 
www.jdrf.com, click here

Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00pm on Tuesday, May 18th and services held at 1:00pm at Grove Park Chapel located at 605 Sherron Rd, Durham, NC 27703.

Tributes

Leave a tribute
Ginger Cooper
May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023
Ok one more “Menda story”. We (all the Stricklands) went to the mountains once and rented a large house for us to all stay together. The top floor of this house was a very large room with massive views of the mountains, a sound system and a large empty floor. So of course we had a party up there. A couple of friends from our high school (Mark and me) went to App State and meet us there for some beer and fun. Our friend Chris has a prosthetic leg which Aunt Menda didn’t know. While we were dancing, we had told Chris to dance with Aunt Menda and then flip his leg around. When he did this I thought Aunt Menda was going to pass out. It was sooooo funny. She couldn’t get over that he had a fake leg. Makes me smile remembering that.
Ginger Cooper
May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023
Tami I remember when we were little and used to go to Hibernia every weekend in the summer - Aunt Menda was sitting with us by the lake shore. You and I were digging in the sand. She had painted pink toe nails and had dug her toes in the sand with just the nail sticking out. She said to us “ look! A pink shell!”. You and I were in awww and couldn’t believe we had found a pink shell!!! We went to pick it up and she wiggled her toes and scared us to death. She laughed and laughed! Makes me smile every time I think of that memory.
Tami Brock
May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023
Two years ago you were taken from us!! I know you are having a good ole time in heaven, but we sure do miss you like crazy here on earth. We have a tree at the lake with some of your ashes and I talk to you often there. It helps, but I sure do wish I could hug you or ask for your advice. Love you and miss you soooo much.
Tami Brock
December 4, 2022
December 4, 2022
Happy Birthday Mama. Your stories and memories continue to bless us everyday. Thank you for being the best mom ever!
Sharon Gooch
December 4, 2021
December 4, 2021
Happy Heavenly Birthday to you Menda! Your sweet legacy lives on in your beautiful family. Rest In Peace and know that your memory is alive and well with your friends and family. You are missed.❤⚘
Alan Austin
December 4, 2021
December 4, 2021
This is our first birthday without our sweet memma. It will be a tuff one for the family, but we are strong and we are family so we will push on in her honor. We love and miss you memma.
Allison Chappell
May 18, 2021
May 18, 2021
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet mom. What an amazing family she created, with so many wonderful memories. She certainly always made me feel like family. I know you will miss her terribly. Much love to you all.
Carol Holder
May 18, 2021
May 18, 2021
Menda was a great neighbor. She was like an older sister to us. She was a planner! I remember staying with the girls when Ed and Menda were leaving to go to the hospital for the birth of their newest baby girl. She came in the kitchen and she had all of the instructions for me written out for the care of the girls. When Wendi married Alan at Grove Park Chapel, Menda had all of the instructions written out in the kitchen for all of us reception helpers. Planning is great, but most of all, she loved her family!
Miranda Maynard
May 18, 2021
May 18, 2021
My sincerest sympathies are with you during this difficult time. Hearing you talk about your mother she sounded so wonderful, full of strength and goodness. I see those same qualities in you Wendi. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Mike Reeves
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
My Aunt Menda was the hardest working, loving , caring person I know and was always helping other people. The younger days of my life are all filled with memories of being with Menda and my cousins. Menda was always there for me to give me advise on the do's and the don'ts of life. from the children's church at Bethesda when Wendi and I were 5 to Joes Motel at White Lake, from being there at the Hargrave Military Ball to my high school graduation.. no matter what her schedule was she was always there for me and I will terrible miss her. I am forever grateful and honored to have had her in my life .. love ya!!
Bonnie Teasley
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
Our friendship started when we were 11 years old. We were next door neighbors. At this age, everyone always wanted to be the oldest, Menda was 3 weeks older than me and she got the biggest joy out of that for years..until we got older. There are so many memories that I could share. But the ones that we enjoyed in our latter years are mostly reminiscing of when we were younger. We had the best times jumping boards, dancing, waking to school and jumping on the rocks to cross the creeks. I would love to go over her house to visit. Her mother Nannie was a joy to be around, always making sure we had a good time. My prayers are with Ed and their family. She loved everyone so much. I’m so glad that I got to be her friend for so long and I hope y’all find comfort in the memories with her like I will.
Reneau Samuel
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
What an awesome friend! Our 30 years of memories are such a special part of my life. I will miss you and love you!  My prayers are with the family. 
Carli Austin
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
Your wonderful, loving, and beautiful spirit will forever live on. Thank you Mema for keeping me so close to your heart so that you will forever be in mine. I love you so much, my guardian angel!
Ruby McDaniel
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
I was very honored to know this beautiful lady. I saw the way she treated everyone around me and respected her. She had a lovely sense of humor and know that she raised kind young ladies. She was loved.
Charon Hatley-Morris
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
To the best cook ever you will truly be missed. My prayers are with the family. Please take care of each other.

Mary Brock
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
Menda was always right in the middle of the fun and was such a warm, loving person that made everyone feel welcome. I have many happy memories of her and she will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her!
Dedra Mercer
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
Such a special lady that was loved each and everyday by her daughters. So sorry for your loss. Menda will truly be missed. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Penny Merritt Merritt
May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
Thank you Menda for your kindness to me and my daughter April. Thank you for your example. You are a true blessing to this world and it was an honor to have known you. My love, thoughts and prayers are with your family, especially your girls.
Jennifer Smith
May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
You were a huge part of my life! I will miss you until I see you again. Thank you for loving me and treating me like family. You were an angel before you became an angel!!:
Alan Austin
May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
Thank you for all your memories you gave me. You will truly be missed. I love you Memma.
Michelle Elliott
May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
There are so many sweet and happy memories of Menda. Going to White Lake, Cheerleading Camp, playing cards with Mom and Dad. I always loved coming over to y’all’s house!  She was so kind, sweet and funny! She was also such a wonderful friend to my mom. If Menda was involved you were definitely going to laugh and smile. She is greatly loved and will be missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing her. Sending thoughts and prayers to your family. So thankful for the hope we have in Christ and this is only a temporary goodbye.
Jamie Slaughter
May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
I have so many fond memories of Menda. Growing up she treated me like one of her own daughters.  She was a very special lady and will be truly missed.  Praying for all of the family during this difficult time.  I love you all! 
Tami Brock
May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
You left the best legacy of all... A legacy of love! Love you always mama!

Leave a Tribute

Light a Candle
Lay a Flower
Leave a Note
 
Recent Tributes
Ginger Cooper
May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023
Ok one more “Menda story”. We (all the Stricklands) went to the mountains once and rented a large house for us to all stay together. The top floor of this house was a very large room with massive views of the mountains, a sound system and a large empty floor. So of course we had a party up there. A couple of friends from our high school (Mark and me) went to App State and meet us there for some beer and fun. Our friend Chris has a prosthetic leg which Aunt Menda didn’t know. While we were dancing, we had told Chris to dance with Aunt Menda and then flip his leg around. When he did this I thought Aunt Menda was going to pass out. It was sooooo funny. She couldn’t get over that he had a fake leg. Makes me smile remembering that.
Ginger Cooper
May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023
Tami I remember when we were little and used to go to Hibernia every weekend in the summer - Aunt Menda was sitting with us by the lake shore. You and I were digging in the sand. She had painted pink toe nails and had dug her toes in the sand with just the nail sticking out. She said to us “ look! A pink shell!”. You and I were in awww and couldn’t believe we had found a pink shell!!! We went to pick it up and she wiggled her toes and scared us to death. She laughed and laughed! Makes me smile every time I think of that memory.
Tami Brock
May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023
Two years ago you were taken from us!! I know you are having a good ole time in heaven, but we sure do miss you like crazy here on earth. We have a tree at the lake with some of your ashes and I talk to you often there. It helps, but I sure do wish I could hug you or ask for your advice. Love you and miss you soooo much.
View all 25 tributes
Gallery
Menda and Tami
Menda with her girls on one of the annual beach trips. Ocracoke
Menda with her girls, the SWAT team!
Tami, Sandy and Menda
Tami and Menda
The girls on a beach weekend trip.
Tami and Menda
View all 17 items
Recent stories
May 17, 2021
by Sharon Gooch
Menda will live on in every daughter, grandchild and great grandchild, all family and friends. She had a way of making you feel at home around her. Praying that all the sweet memories will sustain you until you meet her again.
May 16, 2021
by April Lemons
I have so many fond memories of Menda. She was always welcoming and kind...and hilarious. I enjoyed a lake trip, cheerleader sleepovers, and many fun times at Menda's. Recently, I enjoyed seeing Menda in my neighborhood on several Halloweens.  She was also so kind to my mom during a really difficult time.  Her smile, laugh, hugs, and kindness will always be remembered. She was such a bright light.

Invite others to Menda's website:

Invite by email

Post to your timeline

Share in Messenger