FRANKLIN—Arnold Weldon Strickland, 78, passed away March 31, 2012. Arnold was a native of Norfolk, Va., and was retired from the grocery business after 52 years.

He was the former owner and operator of Strickland’s Service Mart for 26 years, and prior to that, worked for 26 years for Colonial Stores.

He was an Army veteran during the Korean Conflict and was a faithful member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church where he was an active Fourth Degree Knight and Past Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus.

He was a loving husband and exemplary father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved people and was most happy when doing for others.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Claire Lewis Strickland; two daughters, Leah S. Pixley and husband, Wendall of Franklin and Lynette S. Lyall of Glendale, Calif.; Arnold’s beloved grandson, Robert L. “Robby” Cutchins III and his wife, Amy, of Franklin; two great- granddaughters, Skiler and Katelynn Woolfolk; one sister, Janice Greene and husband, Bennie, of Norfolk; and his grand-pups, Mikey and Cody.

Arnold was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, William Hugh Strickland Jr. and his wife, Juanita of Midlothian.

A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church with Father Charles Saglio. Burial with military honors followed at Poplar Spring Cemetery.

A Christian Wake was held at 7 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2012, at Wright Funeral Home where the family received friends following the wake.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Catholic Church or to your favorite charity. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.