Theresa A. Erskin

Theresa Ann Strickland (Erskin) was born March 10, 1946 to Thelma Theresa (Daniel) and John Strickland. A graduate of South High School in Springfield Ohio, she met and married Charles Glover Erskin July 10, 1964. Together they moved to Detroit, Michigan for a short period of time before settling in Dayton, Ohio, where she resided until her death.

Together they raised two daughters Velma Daniel and Clarisse' Lynn Erskin (Gales). Velma, born with developmental disabilities was called home in 1970. Perhaps her love and experience for her eldest daughter was her calling to work with developmentally handicap children. Theresa worked for the Montgomery County Board of Mental Retardation for 29 years until her retirement in 2001.

Theresa enjoyed history and traveled often with her daughter to multiple cities within the United States, each adventure memorable and hilariously funny. Overcoming lung cancer, Theresa suffered from COPD and kidney failure. However, she never gave up. She never complained, maintaining a brave and cheerful outlook of an optimistic future - even through countless radiation and chemotherapy treatments, hospitalizations and pain.

She is survived by one child, Clarisse' L. Gales; two grandchildren, Nicholas L. Gales III and Ranita S. (Erskin) Walker (Anthony); and two great grandchildren, A'marie and Jayleon Walker all of Dayton Ohio; as well as a host of friends and family.

Theresa was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 2 pm at Dayton National Cemetery.

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