Bertha Dean Strickland “Bert”, was born in Winfield, Alabama in 1937. She passed from this life on September 1, 2026. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 9:00 am followed by funeral services at 10:00 am at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Terrell Harris will officiate, interment will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens. 

She lived her life as a faithful follower of Jesus and taught her family to do the same through her words, actions and by service to others. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion to Christ and the example that she gave to her daughters and grandsons.

Bert was a talented seamstress for most of her life and made her daughters’ clothes as children and patiently taught them to sew. She later began making custom made drapes and home furnishings, some of which were featured in Birmingham Decorators’ Showhouses.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Gary Strickland, her mother and father, George Austin and Rebecca Drusilla Aldridge and seven of her eight siblings. She leaves behind a loving family who cherish her memory, including her children: Gina West (Chuck) and Rhonda Brown; grandsons, Garrett West, Gary Brown and Chris Brown and her brother, Frank Aldridge as well as many nieces and nephews.

Though she will be deeply missed, her family finds comfort in the knowledge that she could say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7