Thelma Southard

Mrs. Thelma Irene Wild Southard, 96 of Penney Farms, passed away Friday, February 17, 2017. Mrs. Southard was born November 24, 1920. She was born of British parents who were now living in Canada. At an early age she and her close younger sister Doreen visited the ships in the harbor and shared Bible portions with the crewman. She attended Toronto Bible College and a nurses training in preparation for missionary work in the Belgian Congo, Africa. She was accepted for service with the Unevangelized Fields Mission (Now Crossworld). In 1946, she and two other missionary ladies embarked on a ship headed for Congo by way of England and the Mediterranean Sea where they had to avoid mines. They proceeded up the Nile River, across Egypt and Sudari. She eventually arrived in Congo where she lived in a mud hut with a thatched roof and very primitive conditions. Later she led her students to build a similar building for a school and church. After a number of years in ministry, she returned to Toronto with a serious case of pleurisy. After her recuperation, she took further courses in Belgium preparing her to teach and was qualified to direct a school. Voila, a new career. Upon returning to Congo, she replaced a teacher going on furlough. She met a single missionary, named Marshall Southard. Soon they were married in two ceremonies, one in Swahili and one in French. In 1960 she had to flee Congo, though she was in her eighth month of pregnancy. In 1964 she was held prisoner with her four year old son, Larry. Her husband was away at a conference. By the grace of God they just barely were rescued. After leaving Congo, they served for a number of years in church planting in Quebec. They came to Penney Retirement Community in 1994. Thelma was a heroine. And here she is, moving into heaven meeting those who have awaited her homecoming. Thelma is survived by her husband, Marshall, and their son, Larry, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the Penney Memorial Church at 3:30 p.m. Burial will follow at the Penney Farms Cemetery at 5:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may benefit their ministry at Luniversite Shalom de Bunia through Crossworld, 10000 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64155-2010Arrangements are under the care of HELM-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 1811 Idlewild Ave. Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. 904-284-9696. www.helmgallagherfh.com Cemetery Penney Farms Cemetery State Road 16 Green Coast Springs FL US Memorial Service Wednesday, February 22, 2017 3:30 PM - Penney Farms Cemetery State Road 16 Green Coast Springs FL US Graveside Service Wednesday, February 22, 2017 5:00 PM - Penney Farms Cemetery State Road 16 Green Cove Springs FL US Funeral Home Helm - Gallagher Funeral Home - Green Cove Springs 1811 Idlewild Avenue Green Cove Springs FL - 32043 US (904) 284-9696