Obituary of Annie Ruth Strickland-Thomas

Annie Ruth Strickland Thomas was the daughter of the late William Louis Jackson and Ollie M. Jackson born on August 2, 1938 in Richmond, Virginia. She departed this life on July 22, 2020, after a lengthy illness. She was born into a Christian family being one of six children. Annie Ruth, affectionately called Annie to some and known as Ruth to others, married Charles E. Strickland, and from that union, five children were born: the late Patricia Hamlin, Darlene White, the late Michael Strickland, Janice Doggett, and Nancy Carter. Approximately, fifteen years after her husband Charles died, Annie Ruth married James Thomas, Sr. Her parents, siblings, and her family attended Mt. Pisgah, A.M. E. for years. Later she and her immediate family started attending the Loch Raven Pentecostal Holiness Church that later changed its location and became known as Kingsway Christian Center where she also served as Liaison for church membership. She has been a devoted member for this church for forty-five years. Teaching her children to "put God first in everything that you do." Annie Ruth Strickland Thomas enjoyed traveling, learning new things, and meeting new people. She also enjoyed reading scripture and writing in her journals. Ruth would set a goal to witness to at least ten people a day about our God, and she would do it. Ruth received her education in the Baltimore City Public School System. She later attended college to receive her Associates Degree. On February 12th 1973, Annie became a Nursing Assistant for Mercy Medical Center. Most of her 47 years at Mercy was spent working with patients on the Detox Unit known as 8South. Ruth loved the Lord. She loved people, and enjoyed helping others. She was extremely active in the community. Annie Ruth became the President of the Perring Loch Community, working with politicians and her neighbors for the betterment of the community. She sat on the Board with Morgan State University and was part of the Planning Team to expand the MSU campus up and down Perring Parkway and to have MSU take over the property known as Northwood Shopping Center. She supported many of Morgan's functions. Annie Ruth also established the Perring Loch Girl Scout Troops, which was extremely active at the Northwood Elementary School location. She also obtained training for the Troop Leaders, and attended many of their function—especially the Ski Trips. She was also credited for creating a playground in the community, which provided children a safe place to play year round. She participated in and supported many charities. Mrs. Strickland Thomas was a life member of the National Council of Negro Women, and a very active member of the Greater Baltimore Section for many, many, years serving on numerous committees and attending sponsored functions and receiving many awards.