Anita Strickland (Talbert) Blackwood

Anita Talbert Strickland Blackwood was born on July 18, 1929 in Auburn, Alabama.  She was the youngest of eight (8) children and born to the union of Joe Talbert and Ada Spencer Talbert.  The Talbert family moved from Alabama to Cleveland, Ohio.  All of the children went through the Cleveland (Ohio) Public School System. At an early age, Anita was diagnosed with a health issue; one that she and her family learned to live with. She, however, did not let the diagnosis stop her from enjoying life.  Anita was a quiet, reserved person who loved to read the Bible.

After graduating from high school, Anita enrolled in Debra’s House of Beauty School.  She became a licensed cosmetologist and worked in this arena for several years until her skin became sensitive to the various products used. It was at this time that Anita joined St. Ann Deliverance Tabernacle, which was under the spiritual leadership of the late Bishop Ann House. 

She loved the church and became a prolific Bible student. Not only did she intensely study the Bible and could recite many, many verses and Scriptures; she could also tell you from which book in the Bible a specific verse could be found.

Wanting to be gainfully employed she secured a job at a small tool factory; there, she met and married Myron Strickland, Sr. in the early 1950’s. To this union her only child, Myron Strickland, Jr. was born. She worked in the factory for many years before it closed.  Anita later worked in the housekeeping department of the Cleveland Clinic.  It was there where she met J. Blackwood; they later married.  Upon the dissolution of that marriage, Anita lived with her mother until her mother passed.

Several years later, she relocated and joined Imani Church, under the leadership of Reverend Michele Humphrey. Ultimately, Anita found solace at the Wickliffe County Place; a senior citizen home.

The family members who preceded Anita in death were her parents, six brothers - Julian, Clarence, Emmett, Arlin, Laverne, and Alfred - as well as her former husband, Myron, Sr.; son, Myron, Jr.; and grandson, Myron, III.

Anita Talbert Strickland Blackwood departed this life on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Wickliffe Country Place in Wickliffe, Ohio.  She is survived by her dedicated and faithful sister, Helen Talbert Felton, (Detroit, MI ); her devoted granddaughter, Tamara Strickland Anderson (Cleveland, OH); her grandson, Maurice (Miesha) Strickland (Cleveland, OH); four great grandchildren  - Terence, Ashlee,  Tahgi, and Norym  (Cleveland, OH); two great-great grandchildren - Terence, Jr, and Ta’Shiya (Cleveland, OH);  sister- in- law Ruby Felton Talbert (Cleveland, OH); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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