FRANKLIN - Jessie Lee Welch Southard, 87, went home to be with the Lord with her children by her side on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.
Born in Macon County, she was the daughter of the late Ed and Myrtle Brendle Welch. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Charles Robert Southard; brother, Dubois Welch; and half sisters, Gladys Henry and Louise Parker.
Mrs. Southard lived most of her life in Macon County and worked for many years as a nursing assistant at Angel Hospital. She was a member at Windy Gap Baptist Church and was very active in the Windy Gap Care Team ministry and her adult Sunday school class, as long as she was able. She could often be found tending to her beautiful flowers and watching and feeding her birds.
Jessie is survived by her daughter, Debbie Pendergrass (Johnny); her son, Bobby Southard (Lesa); brother, Ray Welch; and sister, Carol Angel all of Franklin. She has five grandchildren, Angie Raby (Steve), Jamey Pendergrass (Jennifer), Julie Cochran (Jamie), Chris Southard (Cierra), and Kyle Southard (Amber); along with ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild surviving. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the family will be having a funeral service with only her family for Mrs. Southard. Rev. Mark Bishop, Rev. Brian Browning and Rev. Brian Southard will officiate. Special singing will be provided by Coleman and Audrey Buchanan. Graveside services will follow at Woodlawn cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Grandview Manor, Attn: Memory Care Unit, 150 Crisp St, Franklin, NC 28734 so that others can continue to have the outstanding and compassionate care that Jessie received.
Condolences can be made a maconfuneralhome.com
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.