SARA SOUTHARD

Sara Alice Renshaw Southard passed away peacefully October 1, 2017. She was born November 8, 1931, to George Kavanaugh Renshaw and Bertha Reese Renshaw, in Tupelo, Mississippi. She attended Blue Mountain College and Mississippi College and graduated from the latter with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. She later taught high school mathematics before beginning a career in civil service at Elgin Air Force Base in Florida. Her first position was a mathematician and a computer programmer, writing programs for ballistic trajectories and aircraft flight maneuvers. Sara was later selected by the U.S. Air Force for a graduate study program where she earned her Masters of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Arizona. In 1966, she transferred to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas as a Mathematician and an Operations Research Analyst for the Tactical Fighter Weapons Center. During these years, she experienced flying Mach 2 in the F-4 aircraft and evaluated new combat weapons systems while on a tour to Vietnam and Thailand. After 25 years of civil service, Sara qualified for early retirement as the senior ranking civilian woman in the Tactical Air Command with a rating of GS-14. Sara married the love of her life, William Wilson Southard, a successful businessman and a civic leader, in 1978, in Las Vegas. After retirement, she joined the Las Vegas Mesquite Club, where she served as President in 1986-87. It was while in the Mesquite Club that she forged many dear friendships. She also was a past president in the Las Vegas P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter G, Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and a Charter member of Canyon Ridge Christian Church. She lived her last remaining years close to her family in northern Nevada. Sara is survived by her two stepsons, Scott Southard (Mendy) of Gardnerville, and James Southard (Kelly) of Reno; two grandchildren, Amanda and Ryan; and one great-grandchild, Kyson. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 5, at Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones. Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146. Memorial Donations may be made to the Salvation Army in Las Vegas at www. salvationarmysouthernnevada.org