GREENSBORO - Kenneth “Ken” Charles Southern, 78, died Sunday, October 13, 2024, at the Hospice Home at High Point. 

He was born January 21, 1946, in Greensboro and was the son of the late Charles Allen Southern and Alice Blanche Lowdermilk Southern. He was a graduate of Ben L. Smith High School Class of 1966 and served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969. Ken was stationed in Fort Rucker, Alabama, before being deployed to Vietnam where he was a radio operator on the Colonel’s helicopter. Though he was drafted, he served out of patriotic duty with honor, commitment and dedication. He worked as a body shop technician with North State Chevrolet for nearly twenty-seven years and retired from Green Ford following ten years of service. Ken was a diligent and hard worker who was committed to doing the job with precision, accuracy and integrity and, as with every task undertaken, his work was done well, with no corners cut. For over ten years, he opened his heart, family and home to numerous babies as a foster parent with The Children’s Home Society. During this time, he and his wife developed a special calling to care and love for children with special needs which resulted in the adoption of five children whom he loved and cherished. Ken was passionate about his 1956 Chevy Bel Aire Nomad, four-door Wagon which he received from his parents (who purchased it new) while in high school. He drove “the Fifty-Six” as his primary vehicle for the next twenty-five years and would oftentimes enter and show his Chevy in classic car shows in the area in the seventies and eighties. He was a die-hard fan of NASCAR racing and enjoyed many trips to the tracks with his father-in-law in Rockingham, North Wilkesboro and Daytona. Ken had a creative ability to re-purpose nearly any item whether it was building replica homes and buildings with popsicle sticks from memory with exact precision or using empty cardboard boxes to develop shelving and organizational systems. He also enjoyed yard work and helping family and friends whenever possible doing all in order to show his support and love. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three daughters, Joy M. Southern, Hope M. Southern and Heidi K. Southern; a sister, Judith “Judy” S. Lingle; and his father-in-law, Leroy E. “Woodie” Woodard, whom he considered his surrogate father. 

On November 12, 1966, he married Rea Lou Ann Woodard who survives of Pleasant Garden.

Ken is survived by five children, Kenneth “Kenny” C. Southern, Jr. (Dawn Hunt) of Thomasville, Thomas “Tommy” Southern, Tammy S. Nichols, Amy M. Southern and Corey S. Southern, all of Pleasant Garden; nine grandchildren, Cameron K. Southern of McLeansville, Caleb W. Southern (Emily) of Central, South Carolina, Erin N. Schmidt (Jacob) of Summerfield, Mackenzie L. Nichols of Greensboro, Callie G. Nichols of Pleasant Garden, Julia A. Southern of Statesville, Logan C. Southern of Brevard, Josiah T. Southern (Jada) of Statesville and Ivie B. Nichols of Pleasant Garden; five great-grandchildren; and his endeared mother-in-law, Inez F. Lemonds, of Greensboro. 

Graveside service celebrating Ken’s life will be held 2:00 PM Friday, October 18, 2024, at Rehobeth Church Cemetery with Rev. Jim Purdie officiating. Military honors will be accorded in recognition of his service to his country of which he was extremely proud.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Cumby Family Funeral Service in Archdale.

Condolences and remembrances may be sent to the family online on Ken’s tribute page at www.cumbyfuneral.com. 

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262.

Cumby Family Funeral Service in Archdale is serving the Southern family.