Nancy Lou Southard

Nancy Southard, age 83 of Springfield, Missouri, died in her home surrounded by loved ones on October 26, 2025.
She was born in Crispence, Arkansas in 1942 to Edgar and Hettie Parnell, the baby of ten children. Nancy attended school at Horace Mann and graduated from Norfork where she met and married her highschool sweetheart Keithell Southard in 1960. Later that year she followed Keith to Germany during his service in the military before returning to the United States in 1961. They eventually settled in Missouri in 1965, where they lived with their two boys Bradley and Curtis.
Nancy loved spending time with her family and was a devoted wife, mother and grandma. She was a devout Christian who cherished her Bible and the teachings of Jesus. Anyone who knew her knew she could always be found by Keith's side. She was a great homemaker and avid crafter spending many hours with a glue gun in hand or sitting behind a sewing machine.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar Martin Parnell and Hettie Margaret Parnell, her siblings; Gearl Parnell, Mary Baker, Lucille Anderson, Pearl Beard, Merl Parnell, Macy Parnell, and Jack Parnell. She is survived by her husband, Keithell Southard, sons, Bradley Southard and Curtis Southard, Daughters-in-law, Rhonda Southard and Yvonne Southard, Sisters, Ruby Hargett and Alteen Rand, along with 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and another on the way.
Visitation will be at Meadors Funeral Home in Republic, Missouri on Wednesday October 29 at 10:00 am followed by the funeral at 11:00 am. Graveside service will be at the Brookline Cemetery following the funeral.
Donations to Integrity Hospice and Integrity Home Health Care would be greatly appreciated.