Elva Lee Strickland

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Elva Lee Fuller Strickland, 97, passed away Saturday, April 24, 2021, at River Mist Assisted Living Home in Poplar Bluff.

She was born in Marion, Illinois, 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 stepchildren: Kathy Fuller (Ron) Ladd of Mount Vernon, Missouri; Howard Lee (Lyndia) Fuller of Millington, Tennessee; Ginger Fuller (Bruce) Little of Savannah, Georgia; Dewayne (Marilyn) Fuller of Dardenne Prairie, Missouri; Randy (Julie) Strickland of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Diana (Richard) Eatherly of White Salmon, Washington; and Susan Rickey of Etna, California; and her sister, Lorene Heskett of Frankfort, Kentucky. Elva Lee's life was blessed by the addition of 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was 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 and 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's family requests that anyone attending her funeral please wear a face mask and practice social distancing.

The visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Temple Baptist Church.

Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. 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.

Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.