Edith Jefcoat East Strickland, 74, of Soso, Mississippi, passed away Friday, February 18, 2022, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, Mississippi. She was born Monday, April 28, 1947, in Laurel, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, Mississippi. Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 21, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Big Creek Baptist Church and the Burial will follow in Big Creek Cemetery. Rev. Jimmy Hood and Bro. Earl Yarbrough will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel is in charge of arrangements. (601) 649-3342

Edith was part of the last graduating class from Soso High School in 1965. She received a Diploma Degree of Nursing from Gilfoy School of Nursing at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS, in 1968 and later a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from William Carey in 1981. Nursing was her true calling in life, and even after retirement, she continued to care for the sick in her community and church. During her nursing career, she was the first RN and second woman to be appointed to the board of trustees at South Central Regional Medical Center.

She loved the Lord and lived by Isaiah 40:31. "But they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vaughn Dale Strickland; parents, Bennie and Mabra Welch Jefcoat; step son, Robert Strickland.

Survivors include her daughters Stephanie Jefcoat Sims (Fiancé Steve Bailey) and Amy Graves (Steve); honorary son Grady Sims; grandchildren Jasmine Sims Harris (Dalton), Brandon Graves (Allison), Blake East (Lauren), Logan East, Parker Jefcoat, Erin Strickland Enochs (Levi), Adam Strickland; great-grandchildren Henley Graham, Lane Harris, Ava Graves, Rylee Graves, Kellin East, Mia East, Abigail McCaffrey, Emery Enochs, Miles Enochs; sister, Evelyn Moffett; nephews Jeffrey Moffett (Monica), Trevor Moffett (Brooke); niece, Sarah Moffett Hinton (James) and a host of other aunts, uncles, and cousins, and special friends Sarah Steinwinder, Frances Dykes, Sherry Jefcoat, Jeanette Manning, Frieda Merchant, Frank Barrett, Jo and Earl Yarbrough, Liz Jenkins, Vivian Watson, Mary Ann Knight, and many others.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Graves, Blake East, Logan East, Dalton Harris, Adam Strickland, Jeffrey Moffett, Trevor Moffett, Levi Enochs, Daniel Hite, and Steve Bailey.

Honorary pallbearers will be George Beaty, Frank Barrett, and Deacons of Big Creek Church.

Online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapellaurel.com