Pauline Ladell Strickland Cossey

Pauline was born April 21, 1931, passed away May 22, 2017 in Ocala, Florida at the age of 86. In 1931, a beautiful little baby was born to Mae Elizabeth Ray and Kermit Magellan Strickland in Berry, Alabama. Her name was Pauline Ladell Strickland. After the family moved to Birmingham, Pauline attended Jones Valley Elementary and High School. She graduated in 1949. Pauline was an outstanding student, loved by her teachers and a high school beauty. Pauline was a very good friend to everyone. Her special friend was Dean Wilemon Richards, Richard Hurley and many more. She spent time in Istanbul, Turkey raising her two children Debbie and Neil. She loved Istanbul. After returning to the United States she moved to Danville, Illinois where she met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Cossey. It was love at first sight. After Bob's retirement from General Motors they moved to Ft. Pierce, Florida. In Danville, Pauline worked for Colonial Pipe Lines. Pauline worked with Judge Rupert Smith in Ft. Pierce, she owned and operated the Dance Wear House for some 20 years, and together they ran a successful restaurant I Ft. Pierce, Florida. She made costumes for recitals, and made costumes for professional wrestlers. She was an excellent seamstress, cook, homemaker and first and foremost a wonderful mother, grandmother and sister. She loved her family and her nieces, nephews and cousins. Pauline was a source of encouragement to her family. She was an extremely talented woman. Pauline was a Christian, she was baptized at the age of 15 at Cleveland, Ohio in 1946 as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She loved her God, Jehovah and his son, Christ Jesus. She was a member of the North Lagoon Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Panama City Beach, Florida. Pauline was an avid Golfer. She loved to socialize and entertain, loved to play golf and bridge with her friends at the Pelican Yacht Club in Ft. Pierce and the Panama City Beach Country Club. Pauline believed in working hard. She and Bob loved to travel together. They adored each other. Of her many travels, Pauline never forgot her humble beginnings. Pauline raised a little baby bird she named Two-Two. She taught him to say, "Bob get the paper", "Pretty Peggy", "Momma Momma" and "Two Two wants a bagel". Two-Two went everywhere with Pauline and Bob. One day Two Two got out of the house and Pauline walked up and down the street looking for him. He was gone 2 days. Finally, Two Two saw Pauline, he was in a tree, Two Two said "Bob get the paper", "Momma Momma Two Two wants a bagel". Pauline was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert E. "Bob" Cossey and her sister, Ruth Pitcock. Pauline is survived by her son, Neil (Gina) Cossey; her daughter, Deborah Johnson; her step daughter, Cindy Cossey Cunningham; her sister, Peggy Strickland McCoy; her grandchildren, Janee, Jessica, Jeffery, Lance, Douglas, Derek and Robert. Along with 10 great grandchildren. Chapel service will be Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home with burial following at Oakland Cemetery. Brother Roderick Williams, of the Riverchase Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses will be officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Pauline Ladell Strickland Cossey

April 21, 1931 - May 22, 2017