Carroll Junior Southards

Carroll Junior Southards, age 86 went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. He grew up on a share croppers farm in the mountains of Wesser Creek Community in Western North Carolina, graduated from Swain County High School and worked his way through North Carolina State College, majoring in Agricultural Education. After two years of active duty in the Infantry overseas during the Korean Conflict, Lt. Southards enrolled at North Carolina State University and completed his master’s degree in Horticulture and a Ph.D. degree in Plant Pathology. He was a devoted member of Boulevard Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC., West Knoxville Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Maryville, singing in the choir, deacon, teacher and mission activities. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen Parrish Southards; his parents, Clingman and Ollie Southards; his sisters, Flora McMahan (Weatchel), and Ella Lindsay (Alfred); brothers, Burgin (Anna Bell), Woodrow (Hilda), Ralph (Edith), Dillard (Rachel), and Ernest (Nellie). He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Susan Southards of Pickerington, OH, son, Les Southards of Knoxville, TN; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Paul Brown of Morristown, TN; grandchildren, Brandi and husband, Andrew Lee, Brad Southards and husband Matt, and Alisa Brown; great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Noah, and Evie Thoms, Brecken and Harper Lee; numerous nieces and nephews; his special friends, Doris Taylor, Clarissa and Charles Hobby, Charles “Mickey” Justus and the First Baptist Sunday School Class. From 1965 to 1974 Carroll was Assistant and Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Biology at the University of Tennessee. In 1974 he became Professor and Head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, The Institute of Agriculture. During Dr. Southards’ tenure as Professor and Head of Department, he served on numerous committies- institute, state and national, including graduate student committies, Regional Integrated Pest Management Chairman, Tennessee Pest Control Licensing Board 1974-1998, Counselor to the President of U.T. systems 1979-1981, and Biohazards Safety Committee. He was author and co-author of many publications during his tenure at U.T. The family wishes to thank the personnel at Clover Hill Senior Living Center for their care of Carroll. Family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 PM on Friday, January 11, 2019 at Smith Trinity Chapel, with funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM with Rev. Charles Ballard officiating. Family and friends will assemble at 3:00 PM at Grandview Cemetery for interment. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Carroll Junior Southards please visit our Sympathy Store.