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Craig Strickland Remembered by Family and Friends at His Memorial Service

Craig Strickland and Helen Strickland
Craig Strickland and his wife Helen

UPDATE: Craig Strickland’s family and friends remembered the late singer at a memorial service on Tuesday, January 12, at Cross Church Pinnacle Hills Campus in Rogers, Arkansas. The service was live streamed, and according to E! News, began with a video montage that featured photos of the Backroad Anthem singer as a child. 

"This is a celebration of his life. It's not going to be all tears," a church leader shared. "We're going to have a lot of laughter … He will not be forgotten."

Original story continues below:

Preparing to say goodbye. It has been a painful few weeks for Helen Strickland, the wife of late country singer Craig Strickland, whose body was found on January 4 after he went missing on a hunting trip seven days earlier.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars Gone Too Soon

Now Helen, a former Miss Arkansas pageant queen, is prepping for Craig’s January 12 memorial service. On Monday, January 11, she took to Instagram to share the difficult process with her fans, posting a photo of her boots and a print of their names and wedding date carved into a tree.

“Dear friends, please pray that I may have strength tomorrow as I walk through the most difficult experience I've ever gone through in my life,” Helen captioned the photo. “I am so thankful for every moment I had with Craig and I am thankful the Lord is taking care of him now. More than ever our family will need your prayers.”

Craig’s widow has been very vocal about commending those who have supported her family during their tough time. And in her new note, she took another moment to reach out to their supporters again.

“I’m so thankful for every person that has poured out their love to us,” she continued. “If you are unable to physically attend, I hope that you will join our family via webcast at crosschurch.com/watchlive. I love you all as Craig did. Goodnight.”

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrity Deaths in 2015: Stars We've Lost

Craig and his friend Chase Morland went duck hunting on December 26 in Kay County, Oklahoma. They braved storm Goliath to go out and were never heard from again. Morland’s body was found along with their capsized Flat Bottom John Boat on December 28. The search for Craig lasted another week. His body was found camouflaged by debris in shallow water. A cause of death has not been determined in either case, though the weather is said to be a factor.

Craig’s memorial service will be streamed live from Cross Church in Springdale, Arkansas, on Tuesday, January 12. 

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