Edna Schmidt Southerland

  Edna Earle Schmidt Southerland, age 81 of Temple, died Thursday, May 18, 2017 in a local hospital.  Services will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, May 24th at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home with Raney Southerland, Jr. officiating.  Burial will follow at Pendleton Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Southerland was born July 26, 1935 in Brownwood to Emil and Violet White Schmidt.  She graduated from Temple High School in 1953, attended Temple Junior College, UMHB, and received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M – Tarleton University.  She worked at McLellan’s in Temple, RocketDyne in McGregor and retired from Temple V. A. Hospital as a Vocational Rehabilitation Therapist after 25 years. In retirement she sold Avon. She married Donald Barton Southerland on June 28, 1958.  He preceded her in death January 16, 2011. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Darlene Lively, Faye Henderson, Juanell Yakesch, brother, Johnell Schmidt, and brother-in-law, Raney Southerland.  She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church. Mrs.  Southerland first and foremost cherished time with her family and friends. She always looked forward to family and class reunions, holiday gatherings, and activities with her friends. In her quiet time she enjoyed reading but found great joy in activities with family and friends such as bowling, dominoes, poker, board games, camping and fishing. Mrs. Southerland embraced her role as a wife and mother with great affection and dedication. She was a wonderful friend, companion and soul mate to her husband Donald for fifty-two years. She raised her sons to be strong and independent but compassionate members of community with love for family and the Lord Almighty. She always found ways to give and participate in things she believed in. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a Sunday school teacher, a caregiver, a piano teacher, and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She also found ways to contribute to the Ronald McDonald House, the Salvation Army, and Goodwill. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Therapist she took pride in helping troubled veterans find their way in life and took great pride in developing a jobs program to help them transition. Mom was overjoyed when she gained two daughters-in-law, Don’s wife Ellie and Gary’s wife Sue Ann.  She loved them as her own daughters but mostly because they made her sons happy. One of her most long-awaited roles though however was that of a grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and treasured every moment she had with them. She shared her love of reading and values of education, good citizenship and strong sense of family.  The title of grandma was the last piece of the puzzle to a complete and happy life. Survivors include three sons, Don Southerland, Jr. and wife, Ellie of Plano, Dr. Gary Southerland and wife, Sue Ann of Temple and Alan Southerland of Gatesville, three grandchildren, Eric, Chad and Jenna Southerland all of Temple and sisters-in-law, Anna Mae Southerland of Driftwood and Billie Schmidt of Brenham, and brother, E. Wayne Schmidt of College Station.  She also is survived by many nieces and nephews whom she cherished deeply. Memorial donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House or Pendleton Cemetery Association.