Ann Kathleen Robertson Southey

Reidsville – Ann Kathleen Robertson Southey, 91, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Morehead Nursing Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, October, 29, 2014 at Happy Home Congregational Christian Church with Rev. Bruce McBride and her nephew, Chris Stadler officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. Kathleen was born March 9, 1923 in Danville, Virginia to the late Henry Edward and Virginia King Robertson. She was a graduate of Ruffin High School and a member of the Class of 1942 of National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia. From 1943-1945 she worked for The War Department at the Pentagon, Washington, DC in the Research and Development Service as a secretary. She was assigned to a top secret project and was sent to Paris, France. In 1945 she was named National Business College Girl of the Year for her work with The War Department. While living in Washington, DC, Kathleen met Lt. David Ludgate Southey, an architect from Bridgeport, CT. The Department of The Navy also sent Lt. Southey to Paris where they were married at The American Cathedral of Paris on June 20, 1945. After WWII, the Southey’s made their home in Bridgeport, CT until the Korean War. They returned to Washington, DC where Lt. Southey designed hospitals for The Navy Department until his death. After 42 years in DC, Kathleen moved to Danville, VA. For the last few years, she resided at Eden Estates, Eden, NC. Over the years Kathleen has filled many hours as a volunteer for many community organizations such as United Givers Fund of Washington, Red Cross, Salvation Army, children’s homes and homes for the aged. In 1992, she was named a Golden Poet and was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor from the World of Poetry for one of her many poems. Kathleen had a strong faith and was faithful in her church attendance, giving generously of her means and time. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Elizabeth Morgan, Averil Hales and brother, Harold Edwin Robertson. She is survived by a sister, Virginia Stadler and husband, Curtis of Reidsville; nephews and niece, James Hales and wife, Ester of Pennsylvania, Barry Hales and wife, Kathy of Reidsville, Colby Morgan and wife, Lesley of Memphis, TN, Rev. Charles Morgan and wife, Sue of Concord, NH, Robert Morgan and wife, Angela of Pennsylvania, Joel Morgan of Eugene, OR, Dr. Carol Morgan Taylor and husband, Mike of Lawrenceville, GA, Lin Stadler and wife, Edie of Reidsville, Chris Stadler and wife Roxanne of Gastonia, Steve Stadler and wife, Laurie of Mebane. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 PM on Tuesday, October 28th at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at the home of Virginia and Curtis, 3298 NC Hwy 87, Reidsville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Happy Home Church Willing Workers, 6941 NC 700, Ruffin, NC 27326 or Happy Home Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Gloria Draughn, 3057 Oregon Hill Road, Ruffin, NC 27326 or The Salvation Army, 704 Barnes Street, Reidsville, NC. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com