Mary Helen Southern

Mary Helen Hollis Southern, age 92, passed away Friday, July 5, 2013, at Dugan Memorial Home in West Point. She was born September 24, 1920, in Chickasaw County to the late Clara Mae Kilgo Hollis and Thomas Dewitt Hollis. As a young woman she moved to West Point, where she spent the rest of her life. In 1939, she married William Vernon Southern, Jr. who preceded her in death in 2012. A member of Calvary Baptist Church, she was a gifted seamstress and gardener and loved a family gathering for any occasion. She is also preceded in death by her daughter, Patricia Southern Gates; sister, Louise Hollis Calder; and brothers, Elmer Hollis and Carl Hollis. She is survived by her daughters, Peggy Southern Hawkins (James) of Columbus and Marty Southern Friend of Starkville; son-in-law, Bob Gates (Patricia) of New Albany; grandchildren, Deborah Gates Smith (Mike) of The Woodlands, TX, Susan Gates Griffin (Don) of Nashville, TN, Amy Gates Carroll (Ray) of Collierville, TN, Holly Hawkins Nelsen of Fairhope, AL, Mary Heather Hawkins Gibbs of Hernando, Will Friend (Carrie) of Athens, GA, and Fleming Friend Rogers (John) of Starkville; sister, Clarice Hollis Silver of Vardaman, and brother, Everett Hollis, of San Diego, CA. She leaves behind eighteen great-grandchildren. Graveside services are Sunday, July 7, at Greenwood Cemetery in West Point. Robinson Funeral Home is in charge of Arrangements. Pall bearers are James Hawkins, Will Friend, Don Griffin, Ray Carroll, Mike Smith, Frank Gibbs, and John Rogers. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.