Mary Avalene (Helms) Strickland, 86, of Gettysburg, joined her loved ones in Heaven on Monday, April 5, 2010 at the Gettysburg Lutheran Retirement Village. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Archie Virgil Strickland, who passed away in 2001.

Born March 2, 1924 in Vidalia, GA, she was the only child of the late Albert and Naomi (Morris) Helms.

Avalene was a long time member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Gettysburg. Along with her husband, Avalene was a founder of T&S Menswear, Inc. in 1970 and later Strickland Enterprises, Inc. She worked there until her retirement in 2000.

Avalene devoted her life to her family and their business.

She is survived by two children, Linda Sue Strickland-Whiteley and her husband George of Atlanta, GA, and David Anthony "Tony" Strickland and his wife Jane of Gettysburg; and one granddaughter, Julie Anne Strickland of Mount Joy, PA.

A funeral service will be held 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at the Peters Funeral Home, 321 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, with Rev. Roy D. Fauth officiating. Friends may call starting at 6:00 p.m. until the service begins. Interment will follow in Bremen City Cemetery in Bremen, GA.

For those desiring, contributions may be made in Avalene's memory to Trinity United Church of Christ, 60 East High St., Gettysburg, PA 17325 or the Gettysburg Lutheran Retirement Village, 1075 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

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