O. Strickland

From the Biographical History of Primitive or Old School Baptist Ministers, Vol. II, by David Montgomery and Mark Green, 2001.

The following is apart from the above book, written by Elder Strickland in 1961, followed by an obituary written by Elder Sonny Pyles in 1964.

“I was the oldest son of Matthew and Martha Francis Strickland. The date of my birth was November 28, 1883, in Scott County, Arkansas, near the town of Waldron. I grew up in poverty; whatever we raised to eat, that is what we had. My mother made the most of our clothing by carding and spinning cotton and wool, and making our clothes with a needle and thread.

I was working in a grade camp on the Arkansas Western Rail Road—It was a terrible place to be, as they gambled until midnight most every night: I have never gambled, but I was watching a bunch play poker and shoot craps one night, and it occurred to me that I was the worst one in the tent. I stayed in this condition for a week or so.

I started for home one Sunday morning in a covered wagon, all at once, my burden was gone, and I never expect to be any happier than I was then.

I remember that the Saviour told a man that He had healed, to go home to his friends and tell what great things the Lord had done for him—and I asked who is my friends and the answer seemed to be the Primitive Baptists, up to this time I had called them Hardshells, and hated them—but the scene had changed—I went down and they went up—I fought these reactions until 1908.

I was ordained by the authority of East Fork Church near McKinney, Texas in Collins County, in 1909 by the following: Elder J.W. Herriage, Elder H.G. Ball, and others were in the presbytery.

I have tried to serve churches in Rains County, Collins County, Knox County, Young County, and others that I am unable to remember. I have preached in twelve States—'My Latest Sun is Sinking Fast—My Race is Nearly Run.’ ”

O B I T U A R Y - by Elder W.A. (Sonny) Pyles

“Elder Strickland died in Wichita Falls, Texas Hospital, about noon Thursday, December 1964, of a heart attack. The last years of his life were spent in suffering much of the time, and he underwent several major operations during that time.

Elder Strickland’s mannerisms, keen intellect, the sounding of his voice, his laughter, and his appearance set him apart and identified him as a man unlike anyone else. His ability to condense wisdom into a few words has made him one of the most quoted ministers of his day.

His knowledge of the Scriptures was profound until his dying hour. The wisdom he had prayed to God for since his teenage days never left him, though his bodily strength ebbed away.

His final conversations were of the gospel he had preached and lived every day of his life. He was a father to ministers who are now laboring in different parts of the country, and to some who went before him.

Elder Strickland was a wonderful link with the past. He had associated and kept company with Elder Sylvester Hassell and S.A. and Dr. Paine, yet his vision into the future caused him to take a keen interest in the youngest of ministers. None who met him could ever forget him, and all were richer from having known him. No sermon could be preached, or article written that could properly pay tribute to this great, though imperfect, man of God.

His life speaks for itself and will continue to speak as long as men remember him.”