Southern, Jess Clinton

Jess Clinton Southern, 51, of Pulaski, Va., passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at his residence. He was born on September 1, 1957, in Gulfport, Miss., to Roy Garfield Southern and Lois Richardson Southern. He graduated from Pulaski County High School, New River Community College, and Radford University. Jess was a member of CWA Local #2204 while working for Verizon the last 10 years as a cable maintenance splicer and systems technician.

The job Jess was most proud of was being a stay-at-home dad for 15 years to his surviving children, Scott Southern, Todd Clinton Southern, and B.J. Southern, of Pulaski. Also surviving are parents, Roy and Lois Southern, of Pulaski; sister and brother-in-law, Naomi “Noni” and Dennis Ratcliffe, of Pulaski; brother, Billy White, of Oregon; the children’s mother, Carolyn McMullin Southern, of Roanoke; and special friend, Lexi, of the Duplex.

Jess “ran” with the best of Pulaski, including Dr. Mayo, Coach Hicks, and Doc Weiss. He participated in the Boston, Marine, Shamrock, and New York marathons, to name a few. Jess loved to hike and camp with his buddies, Lexi, Tom Lester, Dr. Still, and Noni and Denny. He had been a Deacon, Church Treasurer, and Youth Group Leader at Fairlawn Presbyterian Church. One of the things that brought the most joy to Jess’ life was coaching his children and hundreds of others at soccer, baseball, and chess.

A celebration of his life is scheduled 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, 2009, at the Bower Funeral Home Chapel, Pulaski with the Rev. Terry Woodard officiating. Interment will follow at the Newbern Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday evening, April 4, 2009, at the Bower Funeral Home in Pulaski, Va. www.bowerfuneralhome.com.