Bobby Sherrill Strickland

Salemburg

Bobby Sherrill Strickland went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 29, 2025, at Sampson Regional Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.  Bobby was a family man, a farmer, and a mayor with strong faith and a sense of honor and duty.  Bobby was born on November 15, 1932, in the Bearskin Community to Otto and Roxie Baggett Strickland.  He was a devoted husband of 72 years to Pauline Royal Strickland.  Together they made a great team

Bobby later moved to the big town of Salemburg where he spent the rest of his life.  He was a retired farmer and a part owner and operator of Salemburg Gin and Cotton Company for many years with his dad Otto, his brother Frederick and his brother-in-law W.C. Fann.  He was a very successful farmer and took pride in his skills to set a tobacco plow to throw the correct amount of dirt and to break land and still leave the field level.

Bobby loved and was very proud of his family, his church and especially the Town of Salemburg.  He was a faithful member of Salemburg Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon and a member of countless church committees and was an integral part in building the Family Life Center.  Bobby was the mayor of Salemburg for 34 years until he retired. Bobby was dedicated to helping and overseeing that Salemburg was the cleanest town around.  It was not unusual to see him sweeping the streets and sidewalks, cutting the bushes, or on the tractor bushhogging the side roads.

Bobby accomplished many things for the town.  Some of his proudest moments were helping to get the Dollar General, a new Southern Bank and Trust, and the Tarheel Challenge School to relocate to Salemburg.  Bobby was also a strong supporter of the North Carolina Justice Academy.  There is a building on the Tarheel Challenge campus and one in downtown Salemburg named in his honor.  For his work and dedication to Salemburg, he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.  Bobby also proudly served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Campbell University,

Bobby loved showing off the town museum that he and Pauline were a big part in putting it all together.

Bobby was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Pauline Royal Strickland, his parents Otto and Roxie Baggett Strickland, his brothers Charles, Frederick and wife Vondia Strickland, his sisters Elizabeth Ann Fann and husband W.C. Fann, and Peggy Boone and husband Jasper Boone.  He is survived by his brother Jefferson and his wife Sue and many nephews and nieces.

Bobby is also survived by his children Elaine Strickland Deal and husband Walt, Sherrill Strickland and his wife Rhonda, Amy Strickland Ennis and husband Stuart and Bryan Strickland and his wife Virginia.

Bobby also had 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Brandon Strickland and wife Megan and children Burroughs and Wallace; Clint Strickland and wife Allie and children Carter, Murray Miles and Watson; Jonathan Ennis and wife Amanda and children Brody and Owen; Hannah Ennis; Peyton Strickland McCabe and husband Patrick; and Lawson Strickland.

Thanks to the church family and other friends for all the prayers during this time. We would like to especially thank the staff of Rolling Ridge Assisted Living in Newton Grove, N.C.  They surrounded both mama and daddy with all the love in the world and made everyday a special day for daddy.  We also would like to thank all the staff from Sampson Regional Medical Center, where every staff member went out of their way to make sure Bobby and his family received great care and attention.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Monday, June 2, 2025 at Salemburg Baptist Church with Reverend Drew Bolin and Dr. John Roberson officiating. The burial will follow at Sunrise Memorial Garden.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 2:50 PM on Monday, June 2, 2025 at the church prior to the service. At other times the family will receive friends at the home of Sherrill and Rhonda Strickland, 1515 Country Club Road, Salemburg.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations be made to Salemburg Baptist Church, P.O. Box 537, Salemburg, NC 28385 or to the Town of Salemburg, P.O. Box 190, Salemburg, NC 28385.

Services entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 401 W Roseboro Street, Roseboro, NC 28382.