Ellen Marie Thompson Southerland, 78, of Lewisburg, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at St. Thomas Hospital (Alive Hospice).

Mrs. Southerland was a native of Giles County and a retired employee of Moon Products. She was of the Baptist faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Altmon "Tinker" Thompson and Lillie Pearl Daly Thompson; husband of 57 years, William Bruce Southerland; son, Gary Paul Southerland; brothers, Tillman Thompson and Alton Thompson; sisters, Louise Wood and Francis Beard; grandson, William Bradley Southerland; and granddaughter, Rhonda Denise Fuller.

She is survived by her daughters, Joyce Banks of Giles County, Betty Jo Fuller and Lawanda Fralix, both of Lewisburg; sons, Robert Houston Southerland, Charles Dickie Southerland and William Edward Southerland, all of Lewisburg; stepson, William Henry Southerland of Athens, Ala.; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services for Mrs. Southerland will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, from the chapel of Bills-McGaugh Funeral Home with Thomas B. Sumners officiating, followed by burial in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Elkton, Tenn.

Visitation with the family began Tuesday, and continued after 9 a.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.

You may sign Mrs. Southerland's online registry at www.billsmcgaugh.com