Willie Mae Southard

Willie Mae Southard passed away, surrounded by her loving family on March 1, 2015 at the age of 95. Mae, as she was known, was born June 24, 1919 to James T. Smith and Leola Robena Sailors in Hull, Georgia. She was the youngest of nine children. She grew up helping the family farming. She always attended church; and loved singing and playing hymns on the piano. Mae married Wallace N. Southard on January 20, 1945 in Nevada. After several years of being relocated by the Navy, the Southard’s settled in Thousand Oaks, CA, were Mae worked until 1973 at Dupars, at which point she moved back to Hull, Georgia to be with her sisters, Clara, Polly, Marge and Rose. At that time she worked for the Ramada Inn in Athens, GA until she retired. Mae chose to spend her retired years in Thousand Oaks, CA to be with her children and grandchildren. Mae will always be remembered and loved for her kindness, as well as her unbelievable strength. Mae was preceded in death by Wallace Southard, her parents, three brothers and five sisters. She leaves behind her son, Robert Southard of Palmdale, CA, her daughter Phyllis Southard of Thousand Oaks, CA, her grandchildren, Lori Love, Heidi Marchesano and Dan Southard all residing in California, as well as six great grand children and 4 great-great grandchildren. Also, nieces and nephews across the country. Services will be held at First Baptist Church, 1250 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks, on Saturday, March 7 at 2PM. Reception to follow. Interment will be at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village, Ca.