Lillie Southall

Lillie B. (Prothro) Southall was born on December 6, 1932, in Grand Bayou, La., as the twelfth child to Newton C. Prothro and Blanche Victoria (Young) Prothro. She went to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 19, 2012.

Lillie was a bright, loving, and beautiful lady. She was a strong woman of God. She moved to Los Angeles when she was a teenager and attended Thomas Jefferson High School.

In June 1951, Lillie met and married her husband of over 53 years, Rev. Albert D. Southall, Pastor Emeritus of Evangelistic Missionary Baptist Church in Port Hueneme. She later attended Mt. Carmel Baptist Institute with her husband. Alongside her husband, she served faithfully as the first Lady of Evangelistic Missionary Baptist Church for 28 years. She taught Sunday school, played the piano, headed the Women's Ministry, and ministered to incarcerated youth at California Youth Authority. Lillie sang like an angel. Her sweet, anointed voice would often fill the church with praise.

Lillie was a devoted mother. She moved with her family to Oxnard in 1960. She worked as a supply clerk at both local Naval Bases, Point Mugu and Port Hueneme. Although a biological mother to five, she was a mother figure for many. Her home welcomed people of all backgrounds to be nurtured and loved.

Lillie had five children; Marcus Southall (preceded in death in 1997); Arleen Dunn and husband, Michael of Port Hueneme; Eldridge Southall and Gloria Vazquez of Henderson, Nev.; Tammy Jackson; Patrick Southall and wife, Trina of Simi Valley; two siblings: Allen Prothro and wife, Johnnie Faye of Los Angeles, and Jimmie Prothro of Los Angeles. She leaves 14 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held Friday, August 24, from 5-9 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Conrad's and James Reardon Mortuary located at 401 West Channel Islands Blvd. Oxnard, Calif. 93033. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 25, at Bethel AME Church 855 South F Street, Oxnard, Calif. 93030. Interment will be at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

.Published in Ventura County Star from August 23 to August 26, 2012