A popular songwriter once said that life “isn’t about what you take when you leave the world behind, but what you leave behind you when you go.”

By that measure, friends, family and colleagues agree: Dr. Jessie Shields Strickland, who spent a lifetime teaching and improving the lives of young people, had an incredible life.

Strickland died Saturday after a battle with cancer. She was 64.

Her legacy lives on, though, thanks to more than 43 years of contributions to education and community service.

A longtime educator, Strickland’s list of honors includes: Tennessee Superintendent of the Year, Georgia Retired Educator Award of Distinction, Statesboro Professional Woman of Achievement and Carter County Female Citizen of the Year.

She served as superintendent for Elizabethton City Schools (Tenn.) and Bulloch County Schools — becoming the first female superintendent in both districts.

On Tuesday, friends and peers remembered Strickland as a caring and fair woman who wanted to help all people, in any way she could.

“One thing I could always say about Dr. Strickland is: she was a lady who always cared about students and always cared about this community,” said Bulloch County Schools Superintendent Charles Wilson. “She was truly a good person with a good heart, and we’re all going to miss her.”

Bulloch County school board member Mike Herndon said: “She was a very genuine person who really tried to hear people out. She wanted to help resolve any concern anyone ever had. She always impressed me with how, when someone came to her with a problem or concern, she always stopped what she was doing and tried her very best to deal with it.”

Strickland embarked on a career serving children after graduating from East Tennessee State University. She worked as a teacher in Elizabethton City, Tenn.; Kingsport, Tenn.; Claxton; and Statesboro.

She also served as a Tennessee language arts specialist, assistant professor in school law and leadership theory at Georgia Southern University, supervisor of instruction, and vice president for academic affairs at Ogeechee Technical College, and a reading specialist, at Claxton High School.

“Dr. Strickland was a dedicated educator, whose enthusiasm was evident in everything she did,” said Ogeechee Technical College President Dr. Dawn Cartee. “She was one of the greatest cheerleaders the students and faculty at Ogeechee Technical College could have.

“Dr. Strickland loved her adopted home of Statesboro and Bulloch County, and she left an indelible mark on many lives here,” she said.

Strickland dedicated much of her time away from school to community service organizations.

She was a past president of the Elizabethton Civitan Club and a Paul Harris Award recipient from Rotary Club of Statesboro.

“What I admired most about Dr. Strickland was her support for diversity,” said Maurice Hill, the Bulloch County school board chairman. “She was a fair person and she gave everyone a chance, no matter what color or creed they were. Everyone had a chance to prove themselves.”

Strickland served on the administrative board for Statesboro First United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Robert “Bob” Strickland; daughter “Jenna” Elizabeth Harkleroad; and son-in-law Marion Gray Harkleroad Jr.; and three grandsons. 

Jeff Harrison may be reached at (912) 489-9454.