Lillian Strickland Wasson

Lillian Strickland Wasson, age 84, of Springdale, Ark., formerly of Van Buren, Ark. and Arkadelphia, Ark., passed away at her home on Wednesday, December 17. She was born February 1, 1930 in Nashville, Ark. the daughter of the late Charles Watkins "Watty" Strickland and Mary Tyndall Strickland. She was a graduate of Nashville High School and Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. She and her late husband served 16 years as missionaries in Nigeria, West Africa with the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. After retiring from the mission field, she started the KinderCare program at First Baptist Church Arkadelphia and later opened a private nursery school, Happy Day, where she made a lasting impact on the lives of many children and their families in Arkadelphia. In her later years she moved to Van Buren where she was a member of First Baptist Church and in 2007 she moved to Springdale, AR where she was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. Even though she retired from the mission field, missions still remained an important aspect of her daily life. She is preceded in death by her husband Melvin Kenneth Wasson Sr., two sisters, Ann Strickland Vining and Charlotte Strickland Hunter and one brother, Charles Watkins Strickland. Leaving a lasting legacy, she is survived by her four sons and one daughter, Ken Wasson and wife Michele of North Little Rock, Ark., Tommy Wasson and wife Lynne of St. Paul, Ark., Ron Wasson and wife Rhonda of Heath, Texas, Doug Wasson and wife Alison of Little Rock, Ark. and daughter, Mary Ann Wasson Brinkman and husband Dave of Springdale, Ark. The legacy continues with her 13 grandchildren, Kenny Wasson and wife Jerilyn of North Little Rock, Ark. and Michael Wasson and wife Sarah of Seattle, Wash. (children of Ken and Michele, Emily Wasson of Tulsa, Okla., Thomas Wasson and wife Sara of Fayetteville, Ark., Jennie Wasson Self and husband Codey of Springdale, Ark. (children of Tommy and Lynne), Regan Wasson Reynolds and husband Caleb of Grand Prairie, Texas and Rita Wasson of Austin, Texas (children of Ron and Rhonda), Laura Wasson of Little Rock, Ark. (daughter of Doug and Allison), Leanne Cushman Waters and husband Devin of Frisco, Texas, Samuel Cushman of Springdale, Ark., Daniel Brinkman of Park City, Uthah, Eliese Brinkman and husband Leron of Springdale, Ark., and Stefan Palmer and wife Raquel of Lowell, Ark. (children of Mary Ann and Dave). She also had eight precious great-grandchildren and many others who lovingly called her their "adopted grandmother." She is also survived by brothers-in-law, Bill Vining and Kendall Hunter and sister-in-law, Sarah Strickland all of Arkadelphia, Ark. For Lil's Northwest Arkansas family and friends, there will be a service on Friday, December 19th at 6:30 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church in Springdale, Ark. with Mike Sypult officiating, followed by a time to visit with family. On December 20th at 2:30 p.m. a celebration service will be held at First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark. with Darrell Bridges officiating. Following the service, the family will be receiving guests. All services will be under the direction of Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Pallbearers will be her 11 grandsons. Memorials may be made to Nigeria Faithful Works Inc., 2513 Buckingham Dr., Heath, Texas, 75032, Friendship Baptist Church, 5395 East Robinson Ave., Springdale, Ark. 72764, Ouachita Baptist University's Pruett School of Christian Studies (Missions Department) at 410 Ouachita Street, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71923. Sign on line guest book at www.ruggleswilcox.com.