She was born July 16, 1937 in Marietta, Ohio to the late Henry Edward and Ruth Katherine (Mendenhall) Backes and she has been a resident to this area since 1970 moving here from Jacksonville, Florida. She was a retired Paraprofessional for Public Schools and she was a member of the Saint Mathew Catholic Church. Ann enjoyed sewing, camping, puzzles and going to the casino, she loved the beach and her dog Mr. Mouse.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Roger Lee Strickland; daughters, Kathryn Whatley (Bill) of Babson Park, Laura Sanchez (Hector) of Lake Wales; son, Stephen Strickland (Peggy) of Lakeland; 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 6:00 PM Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Johnson-Nelson-Gill Funeral Home.