Herbert Aubrey Southall Jr. (Sonny) died peacefully at Citizens Care Nursing home after a long illness on October 10, 2015. He was 86 years old, first born child of Reba Weaver Southall Ross and Herbert Aubrey Southall Sr., in 1929 in Farmville, Va. At the age of 15 his family moved to Havre de Grace to work with his Dad at the Coca Cola plant.
His father passed away in 1945 and he continued to work to support his Mother and Sister. Dad met Mary Lou Goodman on a blind date in 1947 she was the love of his life and they were married on March 31,1950 at the home of her parents Mr. & Mrs. Carl Goodman in Port Deposit.
Herbert and Mary Lou raised five children, Roger, Janet, Joann, Shirley and Linda, and put them all through college. Dad worked hard all his life to take care of everyone. He would tell us that it was so we wouldn't have to work as hard as he did growing up.
Dad was an adventurer; He had slip 317 at the Yacht Basin for 25 years where he kept his boat. He loved to fish and he taught all of us to water ski, and it was a ritual on July 4th to get up early and go skiing on the smooth water of the Chesapeake Bay.
Dad loved the beach. He and mom bought a travel trailer and went across the United States four times, seeing sights and visiting old friends.
They went to Maine and spent many winters in Florida. They bought a site in Treasure Beach and then bought a trailer in Montego Bay where they spent their summers in Ocean City, Md.
Dad loved his sports, attending one of the first Oriole games in Baltimore in 1954 and many games after that. He was a season ticket holder for the Baltimore Colts when they were on 33rd street and an original tailgater with his 1962 Chevrolet station wagon.
Dad worked for 50 years in the Beverage Industry selling to many retailers in Harford and Cecil counties.
Dad was a life member of the Havre de Grace Elks Lodge 1564, and Aberdeen Moose Lodge.
Herbert is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Mary Lou Goodman Southall, his sister Peggy Ann Southall Scholl, children Roger A. (Beverly), Janet Southall, Shirley Morse (Don), Linda Southall-Barton. Grand children Ruth Louise Southall Ventela, Roger A.Southall Jr., Casey Wilson, Jason, Jeremy & Joshua Wilson, Donald Morse Jr., Natalie Barton and Jeffery Barton, great grandchildren Hannah Ventela; Caden Southall; Hannah Morse; and Jason Jr., Jaden, Jaxson & Kennadi Wilson.
Dad was pre-deceased by his daughter Joann Sarah Southall Wilson, Mother Reba Weaver Southall Ross, step father William R Ross.
The family would like to thank the staff at Citizens Care Nursing home Harborview for making Dads life comfortable over the last few months.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2015 from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM, at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 South Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 PM, at the funeral home. Dr. Robert T. Clipp will officiate.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Grace United Methodist Church, 110 West Bel Air Ave, Aberdeen, MD 21001.
Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.