Chris Jones: Green Publishing, Inc.
On Friday, July 28, the Post Office in Madison held an all-day retirement party for Sales and Service Associate Opal Strickland. Strickland started working for the United States Postal Service in 1987, as a window clerk in Jasper. She transferred to the Perry Post Office in 1991; and in 1996, she transferred again this time to the Madison office. During her nearly 30 years with the Postal Service, Strickland has worked for seven different Postmasters. She also served as Officer in Charge of the Greenville and Steinhatchee locations. According to a letter of appreciation from Daniel Tyson, Manager of Post Office Operations for the Gulf Atlantic District, a member of the Strickland family has been employed by the Postal Service since 1948.
Strickland is the daughter of Madison natives Grady and Ally Mae Lewis. She graduated from Aucilla Christian Academy in 1975 and married Archie Strickland in 1979. They have one son, Travis and a daughter-in-law, Megan.
Strickland says that she is looking forward to retirement. She has plans to travel with her husband to Alaska, pulling their camper through much of the American west on their way. They plan to spend all of next summer exploring the country and hitting the tourist sites along the way. She also looks forward to spending time with her family. In her spare time, Strickland enjoys crafting, scrapbooking, painting, calligraphy and playing the piano. Strickland said her favorite part of working for the Post Office was interacting with customers everyday. “I believe in customer service, and I give it the best I can, with a smile, to make every visit to the Post Office a pleasant one,” said Strickland.
Postmaster Erica Carmichael said that Strickland has provided wonderful service to the customers. “The customers are really going to miss Opal,” said Carmichael. “She will truly be missed.”