Artice Southerland

Art Southerland (born Nov. 7, 1935) passed from his earthly tabernacle of 78+ years to his eternal home in glory on Saturday, September 27, 2004. Art spent nearly 40 years in ministry as a Baptist preacher. Art served as pastor for Baptist churches in Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado, Washington, Florida, and Illinois. Many of the churches were in rural areas of those states. Art also was involved in evangelistic and revival meetings throughout the country. Art's finished his working years prior to retirement here in Michigan as a shipping export inspector, and he was often available to fill pulpits when asked. He is survived by his loving wife, Velma of Lake Orion, MI; his sons, Paul Southerland of Signal Mountain, TN; Duane Southerland of Dunlap, TN; Kevin Southerland in Ft. Worth, TX; and Bryan Alan Southerland of St. Cloud, FL; his grandsons, Joseph and John of Signal Mountain, TN; his sisters, Elaine Johnson of Orange County, CA, and Martha Waggoner of Festus, MO; his brother, Charles Southerland of Dexter, MO. Art also is survived by his step family, including Diane Carmack, Larry Hudson, Kathy Smith, Sherry Wade, Jeff Hudson, Cheryl Walters, Jim Hudson, Bill Hudson, and Melody Harvey, most of whom reside in Michigan. Art is preceded in death by his parents, Vonnie and Virginia Southerland; his mother, Bertie Eva Cousins Burke; his brother, Lee Southerland; and his foster brother, Roy Gill, Jr. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at Grace Community Church of Lake Orion. The family received friends for visitation at Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home. Reflections may be shared by visiting www.sparksgriffin.com.