Michael Keven Strickland

Mr. Michael Keven Strickland, 57, of Blackshear, passed away Tuesday morning, October 21, 2025, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross.

Born in Waycross, GA on October 23, 1967, he lived in Pierce County all his life.  Keven was a 1986 graduate of Pierce County High School and went on to graduate from Okefenokee Technical College in 1988 with a degree in computers.  He worked for Progress Rail in Waycross and later went into the lawn care business working for Mr. Bill Cantrell.  Anyone that knew Keven knew he was a larger-than-life person.  He had a cheery disposition, always looked for the good in people and tried to be a friend to everyone.  Keven was affectionately known by his family and friends as “The Ninja Hunter”, “Mikey”, and “Miguel Stricklano” along with a slew of other nicknames.  An avid outdoorsman, nothing made him happier than to be in the woods hunting deer or on the water fishing.  Going to the Florida Keys to fish for lobster was also a big thrill for him.  Keven attended Grace Community Church of God in Hoboken.  Over the last few years, he renewed his faith in God and rarely missed an opportunity to share God’s word with people.      

He was a son of the late Cecil Thomas “Tommy” Strickland.  He was also preceded in death by his nephew, Gary Thomas Strickland, Jr.; and his aunt and uncles, Joyce & Jurell Ruis and John Allan “Shorty” Howard.

Survivors include his mother, Mary Clark Strickland of Blackshear; two brothers, Gary Strickland and Craig Strickland both of Blackshear; a great niece, Kurstin Strickland; his aunt, Jeannette Howard of Blackshear; cousins, Darlene (Gene) Clark of Nicholson, Lynn (Paul) Shirley of Clarksville, Mark (Amy) Howard of Blackshear, Susan Hansird of Athens, Daniel (Samantha) Howard of Tifton, Eric Ruis of Jefferson, Dawn (Ashley) Fullard of Blackshear, and Chris (Cassie) Ruis of Jefferson; and numerous friends and other relatives.

Funeral services for Keven will be held Friday morning, October 24, 2025, at 11:00 o’clock from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home chapel one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Blackshear Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Chris Ruis, Paul Shirley, Daniel Howard, Mark Howard, Will Howard, Ashley Fullard, and David Dickson.

The family kindly requests members of the Pierce County High School Class of 1986 to serve as honorary pallbearers.  Please meet at the funeral home by 10:30 Friday morning.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Strickland family during this time.

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