Ruby Southerland

Ruby Southerland departed this life on Sunday, June 26, 2016, at the age of 98 years, 8 months, and 5 days. She was born October 21, 1917, in Wayne County, Tennessee, to the late John Henry and Fannie Belle Sherrill Wright. On November 3, 1936, she married Byron Hollis Southerland. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary prior to his death on March 23, 1997.

She was a charter member of Cornerstone Baptist Church of Savannah and attended services regularly until a heart attack last November. In addition to being a pastor's wife for more than 40 years, she worked at many different things-retail clerk, school lunchroom supervisor, World Book representative, Sarah Coventry representative, nurse's aide at the hospital and hospital gift shop. Her favorite occupations were mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.

She is survived by her children, Gwen Weaver and husband, Paul of Savannah, Tennessee, Nell Moore and husband, Bobby of Portland, Tennessee, Sue Lambert of Savannah, Tennessee, and John (Sonny) Southerland and wife, Beverly of Savannah, Tennessee; grandchildren, Deborah Simer, Cindy Wright, Chris Moore, Tim Kendrick, Angie DeShazier, Candy Murphy and Josh Southerland. Great grandchildren: Paul Simer, Rebekah Weaver, Erin Burgess, Caleb Wright, Emily Wright, Bryson Moore, Alli DeShazier, Macy DeShazier, Ethan Kendrick, Emma Kendrick, Ryan Murphy, Nathan Murphy, Keely Southerland, Kamden Southerland; and a great great grandson, Liam Weaver.

She was also blessed with "step" grandchildren whom she considered grandchildren also: Kim Gardner, Chris Lambert, Lewis Lambert, Kim Melson, Gary Casey, and five step-great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by three sisters: Ruthie Patterson, Ruia Pigg, and Eva Roberson; and four brothers: Jay Wright, Clayborn Wright, Clifford Wright, and Guilford Wright, and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Johnie B. Wright and Robert D. Wright; two sons-in-law, David Kendrick and Tim Lambert; a grandson, Johnny Southerland; three brothers-in-law, Floyd Patterson, Frank Pigg, and Coleman Roberson; and a sister-in-law, Mary Jo Wright.