May Ellen Southard, 83, of Warrensburg, died Wednesday, Sept. 12 at Warrensburg Manor Care Center.

She was born May 23, 1929, in Humansville, Mo., the daughter of Ray B. and Wassa Adele (Steward) King.

On March 5, 1949, she was united in marriage to Calvin E. Southard in Humansville.

May worked as a seamstress for Unitog Industrial Uniforms for 26 years. She centered her life around family and took pride in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and being a homemaker. She was especially proud of taking care of her husband for more than 63 years. May and Calvin were baptized at the Flemington Baptist Church in November 1949. Their baptism was by immersion, and since it was unseasonably cold and in early winter, the minister had to break the ice in the creek to do the baptism. May was an accomplished seamstress, sewing quilts and decorative pieces for all of her family and some close friends. She was also an excellent cook, preparing many favorite dishes for holidays and get-togethers, the most favorite being her apple dumplings. She was a member of the Pleasant Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Knob Noster.

May is survived by her husband, Calvin, of the home; three children, Donna Reynolds and husband Jim of Raymore, Mo., Rodger Southard and wife Debbie of Warrensburg, and Lola Rist and husband Jim of Macon, Mo.; seven grandchildren, James Reynolds and wife Tamara of Claycomo, Mo., Jason Reynolds and wife Lynn of Wichita, Kan., Erin Hoefle and husband TR of Grandview, Mo., Emily Taylor and husband Charlie of Warrensburg, Megan Moss and husband Adam of Brentwood, Mo., Evan Rist of Macon, and Christopher Southard of Warrensburg; five great-grandchildren, Ian, Ireland, Carson, Anna, and Tobin.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 15 at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg with Pastor Randy Crawshaw officiating. Pallbearers were James Reynolds, Jason Reynolds, TR Hoefle, Charlie Taylor, Christopher Southard, Evan Rist, and Adam Moss. Honorary pallbearers were Osborne McMillan, Marion Cox, Don and Louise Kendrick, Bud and Ella Mae Matthews, and Norma Ditty.

Interment was at Sunset Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and can be left at the funeral home.

 

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