Linda Cheryl Strickland

Linda Cheryl Strickland was born Linda Cheryl Hopkins to Ruzie Lee Hopkins on December 06, 1944 in Cairo, Illinois. Linda was the eldest of five children. Her siblings were Sandra Bernadette Hopkins, Elmer Burdette McPherson, Victor Reginald Hopkins, and Glenn Darryl Hopkins. All of her siblings and her mother preceded her in death. She was married twice (Phillip M. Strickland) and (Autry M. Allen) both preceding her in death.

As a young child she was raised in the Martin Temple A.M.E. Church where her mother was a devout member and participant. Attending Church was a requirement if you lived in her mother’s house. As Linda grew older and left home, she did not have much of a relationship with Church but was always spiritual, practiced Christian tenets, and walked proudly and steadfastly with God.

Linda graduated valedictorian from Sumner High School Cairo Illinois 1962. Linda left Cairo to attend Cook County School of Nursing in Chicago, Illinois to prepare to pursue a career in Nursing at the insistence of her mother. She followed through in that career for almost forty years.

Linda spent most of those years at the well known Cook County Hospital (nowJohn Stroger Hospital) with the majority of those years in either nursing or hospital administration as second in command managing various departments such as nursing, dietary, pharmacy, housekeeping, and transportation just to name a few while managing thousands of employees and millions of budget dollars. During this time Linda played a major role in helping with the planning and design of the new Cook County (John Stroger) Hospital.

Linda retired from Cook County in November 2002 to raise her daughter Quadrea who is the love and joy of her life. Linda continued to work for several years consulting for many companies and agencies but the flexibility of hours allowed her to work and be there as a single mother for her child.

To those she leaves behind she will say to you: “Slow dance through life. Enjoy every moment. Do not rush or be in a hurry. Time is a luxury you cannot afford to flounder.”

We are all spirits passing through and we will all make the same journey. We may go in different directions or meet different stumbling blocks, her daughter Quadrea would say, “ Mom there is more than one way to get home” but in the end we will meet at the same place and rejoice again.

As you take your journey, whenever you meet obstacles or fork in the road, take the path of righteousness and grace, the one that was paved for you by your great grandmother Ruzie and your grandmother GiGi Sandy.

Linda will tell you not to mourn her death but honor and celebrate her life.

Linda is grateful to family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers who were a part of her life and thankful for the things that were said and done to make her life so fulfilling.

GIVING

Giving goes beyond materialistic accomplishments and instant gratification. It instead brings about a sense of purpose. Seeing the look of joy on the face and in the eyes of others as you give to them is the most beautiful sight you can experience. When you give, you develop a greater sense of appreciation and gratitude for what you have been fortunate to have had. Give in spirit, not show.