A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2009 in the First Presbyterian church chapel. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Gwen was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She worked for AT&T and was a member of the Pioneers of America. She was a graduate of Ragsdale High School and attended East Carolina University. Gwen enjoyed fitness, decorating and working in the yard.

Gwen is survived by her husband of 10 years, Freddie Ronald Strickland, Jr. of Summerfield; parents, Dave L. and Catherine Turner "Kitty" Kennedy of Greensboro; brother, Davey Lee Kennedy II and wife, Jo of Liberty, NC; niece, Angela Lynn Kennedy; stepdaughter, Jennifer Lane Ford and husband, Michael of Garner; mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Freddie Strickland of Smithfield; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. Monday, November 23, 2009 in the Blair Hagan Room at First Presbyterian Church.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the oncology staff at Wesley Long Hospital and to Doctors Lauretta Odogwu and Teresa Turner Ball.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave. Greensboro, NC 27405.

Hanes Lineberry N. Elm Chapel is assisting her family.