Bertha Mae Southerland

Ms. Bertha Mae Southerland, age 84, of Hawthorne, FL passed away peacefully at her home on January 24, 2021. Ms. Southerland was born March 16, 1936 to the late Roy and Masie Rigdon Crews. She was born and raised in Lake Butler, FL and graduated from Union County High School in 1954. She worked for Gates Rubber Company for many years as a lab technician and then General Electric until her retirement. Ms. Southerland liked gardening and tending to her flowers. She also enjoyed fishing, reading her Bible and watching episodes of Gun Smoke. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 60 years, John Earl Southerland, Sr.; and her son, John Earl Southerland, Jr.

Ms. Southerland is survived by her son, Allen Southerland of Alachua; daughters, Diane Rush and Denise Crosby (Donald) all of Hawthorne; her grandchildren, Jamey, Jennifer, Hunter, Donald, and Nikki; 7 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren; her sisters, Myrtice Lee and Ann Hendricks (David) all of Lake Butler.

A service to honor Ms. Southerland will be held at 11:00am on Friday, January 29th at Archer Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Thursday, January 28th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Archer Funeral Home. Ms. Southerland will be laid to rest by her husband at New Zion Cemetery after the service. Pastor Danny Foraker will be officiating. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com