Lucille Souther

SOUTHER, Lucille Ryle, 97 of Louisville, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, at the Eastern Star Home of Kentucky. She was born on April 18, 1915 in Burlington, Kentucky, daughter of the late June Glore Ryle and Ransom Ryle. A graduate of Burlington High School, she was an all-star guard on the girls' basketball team. She lived 88 years in Boone County, Kentucky, mostly in Florence, where she was a long-time employee of Florence Hardware. She belonged to Florence Christian Church for 50 plus years before moving to Louisville in 2003 when she joined Middletown Christian Church. Giving time, talent, and energy to family and others was a lifetime endeavor. She was Director of the Florence church youth group and cherished the love of those teens. For 30 plus years she also made homemade candy to sell at church bazaars, regularly netting more than $1,000 at each sale. A member of the American Legion Auxiliary, she helped start and run a Christmas party for under privileged children in Boone County that went on for years.

Her husband, Francis Souther, preceded her in death, as did her brother Howard (Jack) Ryle and her sister Elizabeth Byard. She is survived by her daughter Doris June (D. J.) Tabb of Middletown, a grandson Andrew Rodman Ryle Tabb (Melissa), and two great grandchildren of Nashville, Tennessee.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 235 Juneau Drive, Middletown. The funeral will be Thursday at 10 am at Middletown Christian Church, 600 North Watterson Trail, Middletown. Burial will be 3 pm Thursday at Hopeful Lutheran Church, Florence. A memorial service will be held in Florence at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to Middletown Christian Church or Florence Christian Church.