Obituary for Ray Webster Southern
Ray Webster Southern, age 79, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2004 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Ray was born January 17, 1925 in Altus, Oklahoma. HE was the son of the late Daniel Webster Southern and Leona Southern Pierce.
Ray was a lifelong resident of Altus and Jackson County. He graduated from Ozark High School. In 1943 after graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, 4th Marine Division. He was wounded in 1944 while fighting in the Asiatic Pacific area at Saipan. He was honorably discharged from the USMC and received the Purple Heart, from wounds received during combat. Ray was a longtime and active member of the Elm and Hudson Church oif Christ. He was an active participant with the red Cross Blood Drive, NARFE, the American Legion, VFW, Lions Club and retired as Postmaster from the Altus Postal Service.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Southern of the home in Altus; 3 daughters, Linda Southern or Carrollton, Texas, Darla Johnson and husband Alan of Mounds, Oklahoma and Elaine Guthrie and husband Larry of Melbournbe, Arkansas; 5 grandchildren, Paul Johnson and wife Amy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Karen Rackley and husband Kyle of Mounds, Oklahoma, Linda Stevenson and husband Chad of Bixby, Oklahoma, Daniel Johnson of Mounds, OKlahoma and Diana Stevens of Melbourne, Arkansas; 4 great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Myrtle Johnson of Altus, Oklahoma; one brother, Eugene Southern and wife Bernice of Mesa, Arizona; 2 sisters, Louise Lemaster and husband Ellis of Friendship, Oklahoma and Ella Ruth Thornton and husband Billy ("Red") of Smyrna, Tennessee; special family friend, Connie Crow of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by one step-grandson, Brad Guthrie and wife Rebecca of Melbourne, Arkansas; and three step-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Gleola Johnson Southern in 1988, second wife, Bonnie Chesser Parks Southern in 1996, 1 brother, Dee Southern and a nephew, Danny Southern.
Services for Ray Southern are scheduled for 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at the Elm and Hudson Church of Christ with Bill Osborne officiating. Interment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family of Ray Southern will greet friends, Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Memorials in honor of Ray Southern may be made to Westview Boys Home, 120 W. Broadway, Hollis, Oklahoma 73550 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 919 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60611-1676.
Tributes can be made at www.lowell-tims.com
02/18/2004
11:00 AM
Funeral
Elm and Hudson Church of Christ
Altus
OK
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Ray was a lifelong resident of Altus and Jackson County. He graduated from Ozark High School. In 1943 after graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, 4th Marine Division. He was wounded in 1944 while fighting in the Asiatic Pacific area at Saipan. He was honorably discharged from the USMC and received the Purple Heart, from wounds received during combat. Ray was a longtime and active member of the Elm and Hudson Church oif Christ. He was an active participant with the red Cross Blood Drive, NARFE, the American Legion, VFW, Lions Club and retired as Postmaster from the Altus Postal Service.
Survivors include his wife, Janice Southern of the home in Altus; 3 daughters, Linda Southern or Carrollton, Texas, Darla Johnson and husband Alan of Mounds, Oklahoma and Elaine Guthrie and husband Larry of Melbournbe, Arkansas; 5 grandchildren, Paul Johnson and wife Amy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Karen Rackley and husband Kyle of Mounds, Oklahoma, Linda Stevenson and husband Chad of Bixby, Oklahoma, Daniel Johnson of Mounds, OKlahoma and Diana Stevens of Melbourne, Arkansas; 4 great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Myrtle Johnson of Altus, Oklahoma; one brother, Eugene Southern and wife Bernice of Mesa, Arizona; 2 sisters, Louise Lemaster and husband Ellis of Friendship, Oklahoma and Ella Ruth Thornton and husband Billy ("Red") of Smyrna, Tennessee; special family friend, Connie Crow of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by one step-grandson, Brad Guthrie and wife Rebecca of Melbourne, Arkansas; and three step-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Gleola Johnson Southern in 1988, second wife, Bonnie Chesser Parks Southern in 1996, 1 brother, Dee Southern and a nephew, Danny Southern.
Services for Ray Southern are scheduled for 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004 at the Elm and Hudson Church of Christ with Bill Osborne officiating. Interment will follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
The family of Ray Southern will greet friends, Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Memorials in honor of Ray Southern may be made to Westview Boys Home, 120 W. Broadway, Hollis, Oklahoma 73550 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 919 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60611-1676.
Tributes can be made at www.lowell-tims.com
02/18/2004
11:00 AM
Funeral
Elm and Hudson Church of Christ
Altus
OK
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