Wesley Earl Southall

Wesley Earl Southall, most lovingly known as “Papa Earl” and “Busman” met Jesus, face to face on the evening of Monday, November 18, 2024 at the age of 86. When he breathed his final breath on this earth, the love of his life, his devoted wife of 53 years, Shirley Scott Southall, was by his side. Earl and Shirley met in September 1970, through a mutual friend, and were married four months later. They purchased a house in Charlotte Court House VA, and established a Christian home where they raised 3 girls: Beverley Southall Bailey of Powhatan, Elizabeth Irby Davis (Joe) of Drakes Branch, and Patricia Southall Crump (Kyle) of Red Oak.

Earl was born on May 21, 1938 to Earl Carter “Dick” and Sarah Ruth Southall in Prince Edward County VA, both of whom have preceded him in death. He was raised on a farm where he was involved in a tragic hay mowing accident at the age of 6 years old. His family nursed him back to health, including his two younger sisters, Margaret Southall Held Burroughs and Frances Southall Wright. Margaret also predeceased her brother, but Frances (Harold) resides in Tarboro, NC. Earl never let his resultant limp get him down, working on the farm most of his younger life. He then worked at Tolley’s in Pamplin VA briefly before moving to Charlotte County where he joined the Transportation Department of Charlotte County Public Schools better known as the “bus shop” where he served faithfully for 33 years, before retiring to his own shop where he continued to serve the community by repairing all types of cars and most dear to his heart, widow’s lawn mowers.

Earl and Shirley were both raised in Christian homes, and they likewise provided their girls with a strong Christian foundation, joining Drakes Branch Baptist Church in 1976, where Earl served as a Deacon, bus driver, youth chaperone, and numerous committees. Anyone who had something that needed fixing, only needed to call Earl.

Earl was an active member of the Phenix Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years, serving as captain for 10 of those years, and remained an honorary lifetime member. He was a Charlotte County FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer, but he is probably more known for his gardening skills, as he farmed about an acre of fresh vegetables every year, often using his circa 1950 Farmall 140 tractor that he rebuilt himself, sharing his harvest with the community at large.

As much as he loved his friends and neighbors, the apples of his eye were his grandchildren: Justin Beagle (Allison), Sarah Beagle, Dillon Beagle (Elizabeth), Noah Davis (Julia), Lydia Hester (Will), Anna Jones (Keyvon), Rachel Davis, and Wesley Crump (Amber) and great-grandchildren: Jayce Beagle, Gannon McCoy, Everett Davis, Peyton Beagle, Joshua Davis, Dallas Beagle, Thomas Davis, and Silas Crump. Papa Earl would light up when they visited, called, or even at the mention of their names. Also surviving Earl are numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and even several great-great nieces and nephews. He loved holidays and all family events, such as the 55+ gallon stew-making, using many of his home-grown vegetables to fill the freezers, and the annual Templeton family reunion established by his mother and her siblings in 1963, which is still held in August each year.

Most recently, however, Earl longed to go Home. We can only imagine that for the first time in 80 years, he was able to run… run to see his heavenly Father, to hear Him say “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

A service to celebrate Earl’s life will be held on Saturday, November 23 at Drakes Branch Baptist Church at 11 am. A graveside service of internment will follow at Buffalo Presbyterian Church, Pamplin, VA at 1 pm. Family will receive friends at the home. If you desire to honor Earl’s memory, please consider a donation to Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, Charlotte County FFA, your local fire department or a children’s hospital of your choice. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA is in charge of arrangements.