James M. Southern

ASHEBORO — James M. Southern of 926 Cliff Road, Asheboro, NC, died on Dec. 6, 2021, after a long illness. He was 82. 

He was born Feb. 17, 1939, in Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Asheboro at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, with Rev. Lynda Ferguson presiding. 

The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are by Midstate Cremation and Funeral Services.

Jim owned and operated Scott Book Store in Asheboro for many years. He also worked in the horticultural field.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn C. Southern and Ila Welborn Southern. 

He is survived by cousins Vance Sumner of Raleigh, NC; Mary Sumner Butler and husband Eric of St. Louis, MO; John Sumner of Champaign-Urbana, IL; Frances Welborn Roberts of Washington, DC; Mary Jo Southern of High Point, NC; Elizabeth Sanders of Asheboro, NC; Gene Sanders M.D. and wife Peg of Washington, DC; and George Sanders M.D. and wife Julie of High Point, NC.

Jim graduated from Asheboro High School and from UNC Chapel Hill with a BS in Business. He served in the US Army. He was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Asheboro. He sang in the choir, worked in the church garden, and at Victory Junction Camp. Jim also worked with the church’s missions, helping with the homeless shelter and with the Habitat for Humanity group from the University of Georgia.

Jim expressed special thanks to Glenn, Holly, Elizabeth and Hallie Wright, beloved neighbors whose loving care enabled him to fulfill his wish to remain at home. 

Jim also expressed his thanks to special friends Tucker Page, and Rusty and Alice Hammond, and the dedicated and caring staff at First United Methodist Church.