MARY ANN SOUTHERN
Mary Ann Southern of Little Rock passed away January 18, 2020. She was born November 18, 1943, in Fouke, Arkansas to the late Edwin and Ora Agnes (Shumake) Bohn.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; step-parents Pearl Bohn and Jimmy Shumake; her grandson, Lane Huie; her brother, Boyce Bohn; and her nephew, Bobby Bohn Jr. She is survived by her husband, Robert Southern; two daughters, Darla Huie and Lisa Heritage of Little Rock; grandchildren, Lindsay Carter (Adam), Jake Jakonczuk, and Olivia Heritage; great-grandchildren, Maddie and Owen Carter; her brothers, Bobby Bohn (Nell), Eddy Bohn (Beth); and sister, Sue Price.
Mary Ann grew up in Fouke and attended Fouke High School. She received her Bachelor of Science at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, and her Master of Science degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, with honors, in Speech-Language Pathology. Mary Ann utilized her professional skills to help adults at Timber Ridge Ranch and later helping elementary students in the Bryant Public Schools.
Mary Ann cherished her family and her church. She taught the senior high class at Benton First Assembly for many years and loved her students. As a choir member, her soprano voice was heard loud and clear throughout the sanctuary. Mary Ann loved to socialize and entertain friends and family. She was an accomplished cook, seamstress and excellent in arts and crafts including painting, photography, needlepoint, and finding antiques for her husband to refinish. She was an avid flower and vegetable gardener and loved bluebirds. Mary Ann spent a lot of time with her grandkids reading, baking, taking them for ice cream and just talking about life. She was married to the love of her life, Robert Southern since she was seventeen. She adored him and the feeling was mutual. Robert was her devoted caregiver for the last several years, and he showed her his love every day throughout his actions and words.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 23, 2020, at the RollerChenal Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, January 22, 2020. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Mary Ann’s memory to the Stuttering Foundation of America, P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749 (800)992-9392.
Pallbearers will include Jake Jakonczuk, Adam Carter, Mike Cowling, Eddy Bohn, Jon Jaggars, Rogers Davis, Todd Whatley with honorary pallbearers including Frank McFerrin, Phil McConnell, Marion Orender, Owen Carter, Casey Huie, and Stephen Warrick.