Published: September 05, 2008 02:22 am            

Virginia “Ginny” Southerland

Services for Virginia “Ginny” Southerland, 76, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at Bailey & Foster Chapel with the Rev Scott Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Southerland was a lifetime resident of Palestine. She was born on Oct. 24, 1931, and passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008 at Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler.

She was a graduate of Woodhouse High School and Nixon Business College. She was first employed at the Palestine Garment Factory for three years, followed by 19 years at Montgomery Ward and then three years for the Westwood Independent School District. In 1967 she received her real estate sales license and received her brokers license in 1971, starting her own company, Southerland Real Estate. She truly loved people and that was exemplified throughout her entire life and career. She was a lady of extreme integrity, and was trusted and admired by all.

Mrs. Southerland was a lifetime member of Westwood United Methodist Church, formerly Holmes Chapel Methodist. She was a member of the Harvey Women’s Club and a very active member of the Palestine Board of Realtors, serving multiple years in various leadership roles. She also worked closely with the Teachers Credit Union for many years doing appraisal work.

Mrs. Southerland was preceded in death by her parents, Morgan Winston Rigsdell and Lucy Iona McGaughy Rigsdell.

She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Johnny Alton Southerland; son, Myron Southerland of Houston; grandson, Brad Southerland of Orange, Calif.; granddaughter, Dorothy Southerland of Houston; two sisters, Louise Marshall of Palestine and Mary Knox of Spring; three nephews, Clyce Marshall, Lindsay Marshall and Gary Hickman; and many other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Butch Collier, James Ray Ives, Pat Bell, Donald Williams, Gerry Wesbrook and Scott Rummage.

Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to Westwood United Methodist Church, 110 Ridgewood Rd., Palestine, Texas 75803, or to the organization of your choice.

        

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