Jeff and Linda Strickland of Flowery Branch announce the engagement of their daughter Notchea Nichea Free to Kevin Dewayne Ward, son of Larry and Vickie Ward of Gainesville.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of LaVonne Free of Flowery Branch, the late Steve Free Jr, E.D. Jamison of Gainesville and the late Shirley Jamison.

She is a 1999 graduate of Johnson High School in Gainesville. She attended Brenau University in Gainesville and is pursuing a degree in criminal justice from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa. She is employed as a medical insurance biller in Gainesville.

The groom-elect is the grandson of the late Edwin and Hilma Rogers and the late Hoyt and

Inez Ward.

The couple plan to wed March 24, 2012, at Forest Hills Resort in Dahlonega.