Joseph "Joe" Talmadge Strickland, 88, of Fayetteville passed away on Friday, November 23, 2018.

Joe was born in Cumberland County on January 29, 1930 to the late Mittie and Purdie Strickland. He was preceded in death by 7 sisters and 3 brothers.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years Betty Hayes Strickland; daughters, Jo Ann Gray and husband Andrew of Myrtle Beach, SC, Cindy Godwin of Fayetteville, Rhonda van Dijk of Raleigh and a son, Doug Strickland and wife Jennifer of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Angie Daniel, Ronald Hammond, Jennifer Fisher, Trey Godwin, Allison Mews, Elizabeth Turner, Camryn Strickland, Quentin Strickland, Robby Morales and Michael Morales; 22 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe grew up outside Fayetteville NC and spent his early years on a farm and in the fields plowing behind a mule where he formulated many of the plays he would later use on the ball fields.  He was a star athlete in football, baseball and basketball at both Central and Massey Hill High Schools where he was commonly known as T. Strickland.

Once married to Betty, his priorities shifted to love of family and church.  Joe attended and graduated from Holmes Bible College in Greenville SC where he later served on the Board of Trustees and was instrumental in the relocation of the college.

In 1967 he founded Joe Strickland Realty and later formed Joe Strickland Realty & Mobile Home Sales and Strickland Homes.  He was a pioneer in Cumberland County in developing affordable housing communities. The business today is being run by the second and third generations of Strickland's.

Joe was a long-time member of Person Street Pentecostal Holiness Church, where he served as Deacon, Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and co-coached a Bible Quiz Team that won a national championship. Through his giving heart, he helped start up local community churches and other outreach ministries. He later became a dedicated member of Northwood Temple Pentecostal Holiness Church.

He was also a key member of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship and Men's Ministry organizations, which he helped get started for the Pentecostal Holiness denomination and later became worldwide.  The Ministry's goal was to get men involved in their churches, discipleship and building strong families.

Joe has lived a dedicated life of service to God, family and community.  He had a passion for helping others in all aspects of their lives and will be dearly missed.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 11:00 am at Northwood Temple with Dr. John Hedgepeth and Rev. Gary Strickland, officiating. Burial will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home on Monday, November 26, 2018 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Holmes Bible College PO Box 14188 Greenville, SC 29610-4188 or Northwood Temple 4250 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28311.

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.