Thomas Souther

Thomas Watson Souther, 90, of New Horizons Nursing Home, Gainesville, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, following an extended illness.

He was born in Union County, the son of the late Rev. Jasper Gilliam Souther and Stella Ruth Watkins Souther. He was retired from Chicopee and was preceded in death by his wife, Willie Mae McIntyre Souther; brothers, Aaron, Isaiah, Oliver, Arvil and John Souther; sisters, Ulmer Dyer, Willie Turpin and Frankie Cowart. He was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Gainesville and was also a charter member of East Hall Baptist Church.

Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Roger Allen, Gainesville, Delores Edge, Flowery Branch, and Frances and Ronnie Spain, Cleveland; son and daughter-in-law, Ralph and Lois Souther, Gainesville; grandchildren and spouses, Phil and Jan Strickland, Tim and Theresa Strickland, all of Gainesville, David and Catherine Strickland, Scotty and Nancy Souther, all of Lula, Brian and Sonya Souther, Kevin Spain, Christy and Keith Sutton, all of Cleveland, Shaun Edge, Flowery Branch; great-grandchildren, Madison Strickland, Joshua Souther, Ethan Edge, Bo Souther and Briana Sutton; sister, Mary Hart, Gainesville; brothers, Paul Souther, Cleveland, and L.D. Souther, Gainesville; and a host of family and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, May 17, in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Revs. Jack Pierce, Bobby Jones and Farrell Presley officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.