Sloan Whitmire Southerlin

Sloan Whitmire Southerlin, Jr., age 85, respected citizen and retired educator, died on Friday, June 15, 2012 at his home. A native of Greenville, South Carolina, he was the eldest of three children, born to Sloan W. Southerlin, Sr. and Gaynelle Seay Southerlin.

Survivors include wife of 57 years, Doris "Lucy" Southerlin; one daughter, Paige Thompson and husband Gale of Abingdon, VA; one grandson, Adam Thompson of Christiansburg, VA; one granddaughter, Bethany Lewis and husband C.J. of Troutville, VA; one sister, Joan Southerlin of Greenville, SC; one brother, Joel and wife Carolyn of Greenville, SC; one aunt, Marguerite Glenn of Greenville, SC and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Upon graduation from Parker High School in Greenville, he was employed by Duke Power Company for several years. He was a member of the South Carolina State Guard. He has long remembered how proudly he stood guard, forming with others a ring of respect and honor around the train carrying the body of President Roosevelt when the train stopped in Greenville. He then began his college career at Berea College in Kentucky. After two years, he was drafted into the military. He proudly served on Okinawa on Kadena Air Base during the Korean conflict as a member of SCARWAF (Special Category Army Re-assigned with Air Force) from 1952-1954.

Sloan returned to Berea College and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. During his stay at Berea, he was active in the Berea Baptist Church. It was here that he taught Sunday School and helped to establish a mission, now Westside Baptist Church, which he continues to support. He later completed graduate work for a Masters degree with emphasis in education and biology from East Tennessee State University.

With "his bride, his Lucy" he settled in the beautiful Abingdon area. He enjoyed students and their families in the Bethel, Damascus and Wallace communities where he served as an elementary principal for over thirty years.

After retirement, Sloan thoroughly enjoyed his work in the HELP organization. He was a charter member of the Washington County (VA) Gideons International. As a member of Abingdon Baptist Church for over fifty years, he has served in numerous positions of leadership. In 1996, he was elected Deacon Emeritus. Before declining health, he had sung in the sanctuary choir for over forty years.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at Abingdon Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Steven Pollard officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Adam Thompson, Allyn Southerlin, Roan Southerlin, C.J. Lewis, Bo Love, and Jason Love serving as pallbearers for Mr. Southerlin.

Honorary pallbearers include Abingdon Baptist Church deacons, Harry Denton Sunday School class, Friendship Sunday School Class, and past and present neighbors. Military Rites will be conducted by Highlands Fellowship Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard.

Visitation with the family will be 12:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M. Tuesday just prior to the service at the church. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.

The family of Mr. Southerlin would like to express appreciation to Home Health Nursing of Southwest Virginia, Hometown Hospice, Grace Healthcare, and numerous other medical professionals for their kindness and compassion.

Sloan is continuing his spiritual journey and the family looks forward to seeing him again.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Abingdon Baptist Church for music ministry or library located at 381 West Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, the Washington County Gideons, P.O. Box 1992, Abingdon, VA 24212, or Faith in Action located at 798 Hillman Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210.

The family of Sloan Southerlin, Jr. is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 623-2700.