Carolyn A. Strickland, nee Webb, 68, of Fairmont City, Ill., born Dec. 29, 1943, in Qulin, Mo., died at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at Caseyville Nursing Center, Caseyville, Ill.



In 1961, Carolyn graduated as class valedictorian from Qulin High School in Qulin, Mo., then attended Southeast Missouri State where she graduated with degrees in English, German and mythology. She began teaching English for Bayless High School in St. Louis, Mo., from 1969 through 1979, then worked for the Special School District of St. Louis County for 14 years as a teacher's assistant. Carolyn was a very caring person volunteering for Hospice, The Association for the Protection of Animals and helping children with disabilities by taking them to the zoo and the balloon races just to mention a few. She composed poetry and was an avid gardener. She was a member of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Granite City, and also St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Caseyville. From 2002 through 2006 she belonged to the St. John's Adult Care.



Surviving are her children, Stephanie Strickland of Fairmont City, Ill., and John Strickland of Wentzville, Mo.; her mother, Thelma, nee Webb, Wright of Granite City, Ill.; two grandsons, Johnathon Strickland of Springfield, Mo., and Ellis Strickland of Wentzville, Mo.; a sister, Betty Wright of Granite City, Ill.; three brothers, Steven Wright of Pontoon Beach, Ill., David Wright of Gillespie, Ill., and Gary Wright of Granite City, Ill.; an uncle, Sherman Webb of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.



Memorials may be made to the family or the Association for the Protection of Animals. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com



Visitation: Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill.