Leon Jackson “Jack” Souther, Jr, age 76 of Dover, Florida, passed away on August 7, 2020. He was born on June 11, 1944, in Ocala, Florida, to Leon Jackson Souther, Sr and Ruby Bradley Souther. He graduated from Ocala High School in 1962 and from the University of Florida with an Economics Degree in
1966. Jack was in the Army, stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, from 1966-1968 and earned the Sharpshooter Badge and the National Defense Service Medal.
After the Army, Jack returned to Dover, Florida, to help his father run the BI-LO Grocery Store. This is where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Ann” Bailey Sink Souther and they were married on December 14, 1969. He continued to work and serve his community in the grocery business until 1987. At this time, Jack and Ann opened a health food store “Souther’s Natural Foods” and began to teach natural health and provide high quality and discounted health foods to their community until 2019 when they retired.
He is survived by three children, Kimberly Verbarg of Brandon, Donna Bryant and her husband Bart Bryant of Winter Garden, and John Souther and his wife Kelley Souther of Lakeland; his loving sisters Betty Sue McAteer of Oklawaha and Linda Kaye Ussery of Salt Springs; six grandchildren Timothy Pehrson and his wife Emily of Blanchard, Oklahoma; Mary Verbarg of Brandon, Lauren Burns and her husband Eric of Canton, Georgia; Moriah Verbarg of Brandon, Madalyne Souther of Lakeland and Kate Souther of Lakeland; and three great grandchildren Adison Elisabeth, Ellie Grace and Baby Burns soon to arrive.
Jack and Ann passed together on the same day, hand in hand. They were always together in life and wanted nothing more than to go to their Heavenlyand forever held in our hearts.
His service will be held at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida on August 18th at 11:00 am.
Graveside Service In Memory Of
Leon Jackson Souther, Jr
6/11/44 – 8/7/20
Elizabeth Ann Souther
12/2/42 – 8/7/20
To celebrate the lives of Jack & Ann Souther, a Military Graveside Service will be held in their
memory at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, on Tuesday, August 18th at 11:00
am. Due to covid restrictions, masks and social distancing are required and there is a 62 person
limit. Flowers are not permitted at the graveside. In the spirit of keeping us all healthy, we will
present the graveside service live on Facebook (Ann Bailey Souther’s facebook page) and a
youtube video. All will be able to make their own tributes and memories on Ann’s Facebook
page as we grieve together and celebrate the extraordinary lives of these two very special
people. Sympathies can be mailed to the family in care of Kim Verbarg, 215 Lithia Pinecrest Rd,
Brandon, FL 33511. Florida National Cemetery Ceremonial Assembly Area 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513 Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 11:00 am
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