Leota J. Southern, 94, of the Guthrie Community of Bedford, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021, in Bedford. She was born in Lawrence County on December 19, 1926, the daughter of Acie and Cloie (Meadows) Deckard. She married Eugene Southern on October 18, 1942 and he preceded her in death February 5, 2001.Leota was a homemaker and retired from Indiana University. She loved working outside and gardening. She was a wonderful role model to her family and church family, was a member of Valley Mission Church of the Nazarene and attended Grace Full Gospel Church. Surviving to cherish Leotas memory are her daughter, Brenda Cain of Bedford; grandchildren, Tami Downham, Angie (Steve) Gilbert, Ronnie Cain and Mike Cain; great grandchildren, Erin Kirkman, Ashley Kirkman, Kelsey Downham and Brandon Hedrick; great-great grandchildren, Brye Lewis, Leota Kirkman, Ashton Anderson, Paris Anderson and Zander Jones. Leota was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother, Edward Deckard, in infancy. Services will be at noon on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes in Bedford with Pastor John Paulus officiating. Burial will follow at Hanson Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral chapel on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to the service hour.Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Mission Church of the Nazarene. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.FergusonLee.com. Cemetery Hanson Cemetery Monroe County INUS Funeral Home Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes 818 18th St Bedford IN - 47421 US (812) 275-4433