[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E529-E530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO MR. CLYDE RANDAL STRICKLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
longtime pastor of the Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church Mr. Clyde 
Randal Strickland, known as Randal by his friends and his congregation. 
Mr. Strickland passed away on March 30, and he will be remembered as a 
caring pastor who led by example, describing himself as a shepherd, not 
a policeman. He will be dearly missed.
  Randal Strickland was born in January, 1951, as one of six children 
to Randolph and Laverne Strickland. Mr. Strickland was given his 
grandfather's name, Clyde, but everybody in his congregation and the 
tight-knit Stedman community knew him as Randal. Mr. Strickland first 
met his wife, June Hancock, when she was in fourth grade and he in 
fifth. They dated throughout high school and attended Coker College in 
South Carolina together. Mr. Strickland discovered his calling as a 
pastor when he was asked to temporarily fill the position at Stephenson 
Avenue Pentecostal Holiness in Savannah, Georgia. He then moved to 
Stedman, North Carolina and served the Stedman Church for 30 years.
  Mr. Strickland baptized hundreds of people and officiated over 100 
weddings, including that of one of his own daughters. Over his lifetime 
he earned the love and admiration of his congregation, the people of 
Stedman, and all who met him.
  Mr. Strickland is survived by his wife, June H. Strickland; children, 
Joanna Gray and husband Jim, Lynn Jeffrey and husband Travis, and 
Phillip Strickland and wife Ashley; grandchildren, Judah, Julianna, 
Jacob and Jennalyn Gray, and Cooper and Caden Jeffrey, all of Stedman; 
mother, Laverne Strickland; brothers, Allen Strickland, Doug Strickland 
and Wayne Strickland; and sisters, Darlene Fisher and Anita Williams.

[[Page E530]]

  Mr. Speaker, may we never forget the goodness, humility, service, and 
character that defined the life of Randal Strickland. May God continue 
to bless all of his loved ones, and may we all strive to carry on his 
ministry and good work.

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