Bonnie Sue Southern, 73, passed away Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at her home in Mead, Okla.. She was born on August 21, 1946 in Sardis, Okla., to Claude and Helen Newell. She married the love of her life, Donald Southern, on January 21, 1972.
Sue led an extraordinary life. During her lifetime she established the Southern School of Beauty, in Durant, OK as well as opening the Best Little Hair House in Town and The Executive Suite, where she taught Ms. Mary everything she knew. She also ran Sue J’s Café, and then opened A Touch of Class beauty salon, in Calera, Okla.
In between running her own businesses, Sue became the Oklahoma State Board Inspector of Cosmetology for two years. Then, she went on to became the top Regional Manager for SmartStyle® Hair Salons by Regis, where she retired in 2013.
After retiring, Sue kept herself busy by opening The Honk-N-Holler Food Shack in Hartshorne, Okla., for a few years, until she and Don decided to move back to Bryan County to their dream home on the lake.
Sue is survived by her two sons: John Doshier of Platter, Okla., and Kenneth Southern of Calera, Okla.; four daughters: Donna Wilcox of Mena, Ark., Natalie Green of McAlester, Okla., Kelly Sanders and husband Alvin of Durant, Okla., and Holley Maxey and husband Charles of Mead, Okla.; 14 grandchildren: Megan Doshier, Sydney Bowers, Hunter Draffin, Kalynn Southern, Baleigh Southern, Josh Wilcox, Piney Wilcox, Annie Lance, Sarah Blair, Stephanie Graves, Alex Cravens, Shelby Barrett, Kylie Townsend, and Tiffany Williams; 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter; brother, James Allen and wife Vickie; sister, Dorothy Hummingbird, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don Southern, and brothers Tommy and Johnny Newell.
The family would like to thank the numerous friends, family, and neighbors for their loving thoughts and prayers expressed to Sue & the family.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the home of Don and Sue Southern, sometime in the coming spring. Date and time will soon be announced.
