Dennis Ray Southern

Dennis Ray Southern of Pawnee, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at the age of 68 years.

Dennis was born in Pawnee on April 30, 1952 to Sam and Deloris Southern. The second of four children, Dennis spent his youth helping on the family farm, hauling hay and making memories with his twin brothers, Terry and Perry, and his sister Sheryl.

As a young man, Dennis was very involved in church and in 1982, he was introduced to his future wife, Jody Elliott. Jody and Dennis dated for a year and were married on May 6, 1983. Married life was wonderful, but one thing was missing. Jody and Dennis prayed for a child and on August 13, 1991, their daughter Monica was born. They brought her home in September of that year, and from that point on, Monica was the apple of her daddy’s eye.

Dennis never met a stranger and loved to visit with every person he came in contact with. He worked as a deputy in the County Assessor’s office and served as a deacon at the Pawnee First Baptist Church for many years. His presence filled the room, and he will forever be remembered as a loving and dedicated father, papa, son, brother, and husband.

Dennis was preceded in ‘death by his father Sam Southern, and brother Perry Southern. He is survived by his wife Jody of Pawnee, daughter Monica Groce and husband Cody of Breaux Bridge, LA, granddaughters Abigail and Hannah Groce of Breaux Bridge, mother Deloris Southern of Pawnee, sister Sheryl Adams and husband Eddie of Pawnee, brother Terry Southern and wife Sharon of Pawnee, and sister-in-law Carol Southern of Pawnee.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 11th, at 10:00 am at the Pawnee First Baptist Church.

The Southern family deeply appreciates the overwhelming love and support from all of our family and friends. We love you all.