Illa Fern Strickland Derrick

Illa Fern Strickland Derrick, 82, of Brinkley passed away Saturday, October 22, 2022 at her home. She was born April 23, 1940 at the little community known as “Swamp Poodle” near Brinkley. A daughter of the late Robie Strickland and Alma Carlock Strickland, Fern spent her youth playing and doing chores with her two siblings, Jack and Leatrice. She was a 1958 graduate of Brinkley High School and a member of the Full Gospel Church of God for many years that her family attended.

On October 9, 1976, she was married to James “Red” Derrick. Over the years she worked for Southwestern Bell Phone Co., and Van Heusen Shirt Factory in Brinkley. For the past 20 years she and her husband, Red, have owned and operated the Corner Grocery Store in Brinkley. At the back of the store, you would find Fern busy preparing a blue plate special for the day, cooking juicy hamburgers or special-order cold cut sandwiches. It is also a great place for the locals to gather and catch up on the latest happenings in the community. If you had a problem, something worrying you or just needed a comforting word, Fern would be there for you.

A lady who enjoyed the outdoors, Fern liked to go fishing, work in her garden, grow beautiful flowers and care for her animals. She dearly loved her family and grandchildren and will be deeply missed by them.

A God fearing, God loving lady she was a faithful and dedicated member of the River of Life Church in Brinkley, and spent many hours reading her Bible.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Jack Strickland. She was survived by her husband of 46 years, Red Derrick; a son, Stacy Lynn Eary of Paragould; daughters, Nena Michaelis of Colt and Robin Baxter and husband, Jason, of Brinkley; grandchildren, Katy (Robert) Jones, Robert (Natalie) Michaelis, Tabitha (Zakk) Jumper, Emma Eary, Dillon Nash, and Haley (Cody) Hambrick; 9 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Leatrice Traylor of Moro; along with a host of extended family, church family, and friends.

Funeral services were Monday, October 24 at the River of Life Church in Brinkley with Minister Paul Ray Cagle officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Valley Cemetery at Brinkley by Bob Neal and Sons Funeral Home of Brinkley. Pallbearers were Robert Jones, Aaron Traylor, Wayne Traylor, Eric Strickland, Johnathan Morris, and Robert Michaelis.