Ada Southern

CORVALLIS - Ada Southern, 89, passed away in her home on June 18, 2017, in Corvallis, Montana.  Ada was born December 3, 1927 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, the youngest of five children born to Benjamin and Martha Mason,  weighing in at a mere 3 lbs.

She remembered a lot of good childhood memories but when the depression hit the family fell on hard times. In 1942, Ada (15), and her older sister boarded a train bound for Southern California, to join their brother and mother to start a new life.  She completed her high school education there. She loved the beach and dancing.

Ada met the love of her life, Richard Brent Southern, in Monterey Park, CA in Dec. of 1948.  It was love at first sight and 2 weeks later she accepted his proposal of marriage. They were married six months later on June 30, 1949.  Three children followed.  In the early years they lived in Pasadena later moving to Baldwin Park and West Covina to raise their family.  Having raised their children, and Richard recovering from a heart attack, they decided to move from their home of 13 years in West Covina, CA to a little town in Northern California called Magalia, just outside of Paradise. While in Paradise tragedy struck in a big way when their youngest son Tommy was killed in a single automobile accident in Riverside, CA.  Somehow they made it through those dark days and eight years later, in 1987, moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ where they both lived until Richards passing in Jan. of 2005.  Ada remained in AZ undergoing a heart valve replacement and later after some other health issues decided to sell the house and move to Montana and live with her daughter.  She lived there until the time of her passing.

Ada was a beautiful seamstress and loved needlework, crocheting, and quilting. She also gave much of her time volunteering in the local community.  She will be remembered by her family and friends as a faithful loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend and devoted follower of Christ.  With a selfless attitude toward life, she was always putting others before herself.

Ada is survived by her children, Debra (Michael) Gray and Richard Brent Jr. (Barbara) Southern; step-children, Carol LeFever and Loni Govero; 11 grandchildren and 14 great­ grandchildren.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held at Canyon View Church, 195 Skalkaho Highway, Hamilton, on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at 11:00 am with Pastor Jon Sardella officiating.  A light lunch will be served.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to a local charity of your choice.