Harold Turner Southern of Winston-Salem, N.C., longtime USTA Southern volunteer and tennis player, passed away on Sept. 18, 2011 at the age of 94.

 

Southern was born in Greenville, SC on October 19, 1916. He was the only surviving child of the late Henry Jackson Southern, Sr. and the late Octavia Turner Southern. He was educated in the Greenville city schools and in 1937 received a B.A. degree from Furman University. In 1938 he received his M.A. degree from the University of Michigan and later moved to Winston-Salem to work for Security Life and Trust, which became Integon years later.

 

Southern played many sports at Greenville High School, but he excelled at tennis, playing in the Nol 1 position in both singles and doubles his senior year. At Furman University he played No. 1 for the Paladins tennis team. With the exception of World War II, he played competitive tennis to age 90 when he was ranked No. 4 nationally.

 

Southern was honored as the recipient of the USTA Southern’s Jacobs Bowl Award in 1999, the highest award the section's awards. He was a mainstay on the Investments Committee and, for many years, served as chairman. He was also active in the First Baptist Church of Winston-Salem.

 

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mildred F. Southern, former USTA Southern President; and two children, Harold T. Southern Jr. and Deborah Leigh Southern.

 

Funeral services will be held 11:00 Thursday, Sept. 22 at the First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, conducted by Dr. David E. Hughes. Burial will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Wednesday September 21, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Salem Funeral Home on the corner of Reynolda and Polo Rd. Following the burial refreshments will be served at Brookridge Retirement Home on Hayes Forest Dr.

 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Winston Salem, 501 W 5th St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101, or to Furman University Development Office, c/o Harold T. Southern Fund, 330 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613. Salem Funeral Services is assisting the family.