Ellen Louise Dixon Truslow Southers
September 29, 1932 - September 13, 2022
Ellen Southers, 89 years old, a resident of the Laurels, left this temporary world and entered her heavenly home early Tuesday morning, September 13th, 2022. We celebrate her life and her legacy. Born on September 29, 1932, she is survived by one daughter, Suzanne Jewell, (Terry), and 3 sons Gregory Truslow (Michelle), Brian Truslow (Marianne), and Alan Truslow (Stacie). Nine Surviving Grandchildren, eleven Great-Grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren.
Ellen is also survived by her sister Cornelia (Nea) Wills and family. She was predeceased by her parents, Lula and Hallah Dixon, husbands, Kenneth Truslow, Jake Southers, brothers, Jack Barker and Johnny Dixon.
Ellen grew up in and around the Staunton area and graduated from Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville. One of her claims to fame was that she went to school with Harold and Don Reid, of the Statler Brothers. Once during a 4th of July parade, Harold recognized her, and he said “hello Ellen” that was huge for her.
Ellen worked at Western State Hospital as a nursing aide, and later delivered nightly the Staunton News Leader for over 30 years. The last few years of delivering the newspapers she and her 2nd husband, Jake Southers only had 1 night off a year. They would deliver over 800 newspapers each night. Ellen had a strong work ethic which she modeled for her children.
Ellen gave her heart to Jesus at a Franklin Graham Festival on May 1st, 1998, in Charlottesville, Virginia. She became a devout follower of Jesus Christ and was a very faithful member of Knight’s Chapel Church of the Brethren in Barboursville, Va. Ellen was previously a member of Maple Grove Christian Church. Her church family was also an important extended family as well. She attended every Bible study she could when physically able. For many years, Ellen would take folks places when they were not able to do for themselves.
Ellen enjoyed the simple things in life immensely including gardening, nature, animals, cooking, and preparing large meals for family get togethers. In her heyday, Ellen specialized in baking, cooking, and cleaning. She loved household gadgets and watching the cooking shows. “Grandma” was very intentional and attentive to what you ate. She would inventory and catalogue mentally what you ate and especially what you loved to eat. From then on, if humanly possible, she would prepare that special dish for you. Ellen was proud of her family and their individual growth and progress over the years.
In 2018, a fall severely limited her freedom and physical mobility. However, she amazed everyone with her strength and especially her inner strength that helped her cope so well in her confined conditions.
The family is forever grateful to the loving and caring staff of the Laurels as they provided essential and irreplaceable care each day and night for over 3 years, especially within the challenging years dealing within Covid. We are also forever grateful for the wonderful care given by her cardiologist, Dr. Timothy Williams.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday September 16, 2022, at Gordonsville Chapel, 314 N. Main St. in Gordonsville with pastor Terry Jewell officiating. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Oaklawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens in Staunton.
Preddy Funeral Home of Gordonsville is handling arrangements.
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