Kathryn R. “Kittye” Strickland

Mrs. Kathryn R. “Kittye” Strickland, 92, died Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at The Pinnacle in Oxford, Mississippi. The funeral will be Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Williams officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 11:30 A.M. in West Hall of Waller Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service in Clear Creek Cemetery.

Kittye was born on November 9, 1932, to the late Daisy Belle Hawkins and Grant Robertson. A lifelong native of Oxford, she cherished her town and community with all of her heart. A graduate of The University of Mississippi, she loved her Alma Mater so much that she chose to never leave, building a long and successful career with Ole Miss Athletics. Kittye worked her way up through the years, eventually accepting the role of Assistant Athletic Director, fulfilling her passion for sports and the many athletes and coaches she mentored throughout her years with the program. Kittye and her family took full advantage of the wonderful travel opportunities that came along with the job, turning many trips to bowl games, tournaments, and regionals into family affairs filled with laughter and memories. She especially loved traveling with the Women’s Basketball Team. After 44 years with Ole Miss, Kittye retired in 1998 with so much fondness and love for her time spent at the University.

Kittye adored her two children, Julie and Les, but truly came to life in her role as a grandmother. She spoiled her grandchildren endless with love, affection, and whatever they asked of her. Each Friday night, she looked forward to the grandkids who lived locally coming over for sleepovers, and each summer she welcomed the entire brood into her home, demanding as much time with them as she could possibly get. During these summer weeks, the kids would be spoiled with all her amazing cooking. Kittye was known best for her spaghetti, strawberry cake, her famous smoked turkey, and the most comforting cornbread dressing. Every day, she made time to get outside and walk, believing there were few things that fresh air and a little sunshine couldn’t cure. Even once she required a walker, she still made it out every day, and though that made her walks a little slower, she never complained. Throughout their marriage, she and her husband, Bill, became known for their dance moves and love of music. They put all others to shame, effortlessly gliding across any dance floor with a beauty that mirrored their life together.

Everyone who knew Kittye felt the quiet spark she carried. She had a timeless kind of grace – always put together, always composed, always dressed to impress – but underneath all that she was strong and stubborn to her core. Her love for her family was the heart of everything she did. She showed up for her people without fail – celebrating their wins with joy, and holding them up when things got tough. Her strength was quiet but constant, and her love was fierce in the most effortless way. In addition to her parents, Kittye was preceded in death by her husband, William E. “Bill” Strickland; her sister, Sis Robertson Reese; and brothers, Dub Robertson and Chick Robertson.

Kittye is survived by her daughter, Julie Jones and her husband, Paul, of Oxford, Mississippi; son, Dr. Les Jones and his wife, Sheila, of Madison, Mississippi; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Kathryn’s memory may be made to North Oxford Baptist Church, Post Office Box 1700, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, or to Clear Creek Cemetery Fund, 46 County Road 313, Oxford, Mississippi 38655.