Elva Lee Strickland

Elva Lee Fuller Strickland, 97, passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at River Mist Assisted Living Home in Poplar Bluff. She was born in Marion, IL on March 13, 1924 to Lee and Elvia Burton.  She attended Marble Hill School in Poplar Bluff, where she met her husband of 23 years, Howard Fuller

Elva is survived by her four children and three step-children: Kathy Fuller Ladd (Ron) of Mt. Vernon, MO; Howard Lee Fuller (Lyndia) of Millington, TN; Ginger Fuller Little (Bruce) of Savannah, GA; Dewayne Fuller (Marilyn) of Dardenne Prairie, MO; Randy Strickland (Julie) of Fort Smith, AR; Diana Eatherly (Richard) of White Salmon, WA; Susan Rickey of Etna, CA; and her sister, Lorene Heskett of Frankfort, KY.  Elva Lee’s life was blessed by the addition of 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Elvia Burton; her husbands:  Howard Fuller (23 years) and Vernon Strickland (30 years); a brother and three sisters who died in infancy;  sisters,  Regina Burton Bassham, Verbena Vanderslice,  Stella June Sullivan; grandson, Craig Strickland;  and son-in-law, Kevin Rickey.

Elva Lee was a devout Christian and a proud charter member of Temple Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff.  She owned and operated Fuller’s Window Decorators in Poplar Bluff.  Her beautiful draperies and window treatments could be found in local churches, hospitals and in the finest homes in Southeast Missouri.  She retired from her sewing/design career at Rust & Martin Interiors in Cape Girardeau.

She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and wonderful sense of humor.  She was affectionately called “Granny” by all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all of their friends.  She was loved by all who met her and will be greatly missed.

In light of the COVID pandemic, Elva Lee and her family requests that anyone attending her funeral please wear a facemask and practice social distancing.  The visitation will take place Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 10 – 11 AM at Temple Baptist Church. Funeral service will follow at 11 AM at the church with the Rev. Steve Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Elva Lee requested that all donations be made to Temple Baptist Church’s Lottie Moon Fund.