Mary Elizabeth Bradbury Southard, 86, of rural Crawfordsville passed away in her home at 8:15 a.m. Friday, July 26, 2024.
Mary was born at home, near Robinson, Illinois, to the late Bulan Carlton “BC” and Susan Rich Bradbury.
She graduated from Robinson High School in 1955. She married Joseph Owen Southard on Oct. 20, 1956, at his parent’s home in Scotland, Illinois. He preceded her in death March 24, 2006.
She worked as a waitress and hospital aid in her youth. She was a homemaker for 17 years raising her children. She then went to work as a cashier at Paul’s Market, Crawford’s Grocery Store and retired from County Market all in Crawfordsville.
Mary was an attentive mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an active member of Liberty Chapel Church, where she was she was involved with the Night Owls and Adult Fellowship groups. For many years she was a member of the Farm Bureau Board, member of Near & Far Home Ec Club. She volunteered with the 4 Ms sewing group and NRCC Food Pantry.
Surviving are her children, Darla (Mike) Williams of Linden, Dan (Mendy) Southard of Crawfordsville, Jill (Doug) McDonald of Lebanon and Kathy Holsapple of Littleton, Colorado; sister Nancy Ruth Banning of Robinson, Illinois; brothers-in-law, Howard Osborne of Villa Grove, Illinois and Charles Patton of Robinson, Illinois; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; aunt Nancy Bradbury; infant twin sisters; brothers, John “Jack” and George Bradbury; sisters, Margaret Patton, Lois Walls and Alice (Laurabelle) Osborne; brothers-in-law, Carol Walls and Kenneth Banning; sister-in-law Julia Bradbury; and nephews, Jerry Bradbury and Ronny Bradbury.
Visitation hours are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, with funeral services following at 1 p.m. at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate, with Pastor Ryan Threlkeld officiating. Burial will follow at Waynetown Masonic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are preferred to Montgomery County 4-H Inc. or American Cancer Society.
Visit us at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or share a memory.
