Dewey Edward Southers

Dewey Edward Southers, born Nov. 18, 1933, was surrounded by family as he passed away to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at age 78.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Harriet Julian Southers; and two children, Perry Medford Southers (Tammy), Cartersville, Ga., and Elizabeth Brantley Southers, Vitoria, Spain. He also leaves behind his brother, Richard Southers (Cheryl), Spring City; and many, many loving nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
He served as a U.S. Marine in the H&S Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, and the 9th Marine Corps Reserve. He was a veteran of the Korean War, where he achieved the rank of staff sergeant and was stationed in Korea and Tokyo. He earned several medals, including the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Good Conduct Medal. He served five years with distinction as a Marine in the Korean War. He was wounded during the Korean War while being saved by his fellow comrade, and received other commendations for his dedication and bravery. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marines never left him, as friends and family will attest.
He was born in Clarkdale, Ga., to the late Arnold Dewey and Salina Christine Medford Southers. He was raised in Eaton, Colo., where he went to Eaton High School before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. He spent a majority of his life in Douglasville, Ga., where he was president of Douglasville Chamber of Commerce for three consecutive terms; stood on the board of directors of the Douglasville Federal Savings & Loan; vice president of the Citizens Bank of Douglasville; vice president and general sales manager of Young Refining Corp.; and was founding director, secretary and treasurer of Industrial Development Authority. He moved in 1998 to Spring City, where he was a member of Spring City United Methodist Church. He was very well known for his love of God and his church family. He was an avid hunter with a love for Colorado and Montana.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold Dewey and Salina Christine Medford Southers; brother, Howard Riley Southers; and niece, Lydia Marlene Southers.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, in Spring City United Methodist Church, Spring City. Evans Mortuary, Rockwood, is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice in memory of Dewey Edward Southers.
An online registry is available at www.evansmortuary.biz.