Joyce Eileen Southard, a Christian, passed from this life to be with her Lord and family members that have gone on before her on Feb. 14, at age 65.

She was a member of Arlington Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward “Red” Powell and Cornelia “Tooter” Adcock Powell; and son, Andrew “Andy” Southard.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Ronald “Ron” Southard; children, Edward “Eddie” Southard, Dan and Jenna Harp and Jamie Southard Silvers; granddaughter Marli Jane Southard; uncle Carl Adcock and wife Eliz; brother and sister-in-law Ronald and Diana Powell; sisters and brothers-in-law Gerane and Lou Benkarski and Kathy and Rudie Thomsen; niece Tammy Fults and husband Dan; nephews Richard Sexton and wife Angie, Jesse Powell, Dathan Todd and wife Paige, Galen Todd, MaCrae Thomsen; brother-in-law, Freedland Southard; and sisters-in-law, Pam Mitchell and husband Lesley and Carol Preslar. Several great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.

Eileen dedicated her life to teaching others. She taught 40 years in the Warren County School System and after retirement continued to teach her granddaughter, Marli. She also received The Hometown Hero award from a former student and his father on Veterans Day. This was the MOST notable honor of her teaching career. She also taught at church, to family members, friends and co-workers. She loved swimming, reading and watching TV.

Visitation will be at High Funeral Home on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 3 to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Funeral service will be held Sunday at Smyrna Church of Christ at 1 p.m. with MaCrae Thomsen, Farrah Griffith and Ronald Powell to officiate. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery with Rachel Cantrell, chaplain from Avalon Hospice in McMinnvillle, to officiate. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.