Norman N. Southerly, 86, of Port Republic, VA died on Monday, September 23, 2024 at UVa Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born August 31, 1938 to the late Walter and Bertha Southerly and spent his early childhood in the Mountain Valley area, and his youth in eastern Rockingham County.

Norman was a lifelong farmer and a passionate beekeeper, and he was a supervisor in antibiotics manufacturing at Merck & Co., retiring in 1993.

His special interests included participating in church mission trips to Ghana to support construction of an elementary school and a medical clinic. Norman also loved to fish, and after retiring from farming, one of his first projects at home was to construct a large fish pond named Lake Norman and stock it with fish. He also loved working on his 1931 Model A and giving thrilling rides to passengers in the rumble seat. He was a terrific story-teller, often embellishing the facts because “it made for a better story”. Education was very important to Norman; in his retirement he raised calves which he sold to help fund college educations for his grandchildren.

His family was his greatest love. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 68 years, Mary Yancey Southerly. He is also survived by his children Tom Southerly (Dawn) of Clear Brook, VA, Rick Southerly (Stephanie) of Harrisonburg, VA, Pam Sheets (W.C.) of Midlothian, VA, Andy Southerly (Gay) of Midlothian, VA, and Cindy Morgan of Port Republic, VA; grandchildren Caitlin Southerly, Patrick (Brandy) Southerly, Brittany (Corbin) McKee, Clayton (Javier) Southerly, Maci Southerly, Andrew Morgan and William Morgan, and two special young men who were like grandsons to him: Christian Couric and Evan Winegard; one great grandchild, Sophie McKee; siblings Theodore Southerly (Rosa) of Sumpter, SC, Woodrow Southerly (Carolyn) of Harrisonburg, VA, and Margie Southerly of Crimora, VA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Floyd, James and Lewis Southerly) and four sisters (Louise Sites, Helen Kersey, Rosalie Shipp and Vicky Riggles).

Norman and Mary have been faithful members of the Mill Creek Church of the Brethren in Port Republic, VA for 55 years. His celebration of life will be held there on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends after the service at 4:00 p.m. in the Church social hall. The graveside service will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mill Creek Church Ghana Fund to support the ongoing mission work that was so important to Norman. Make checks payable to the church, designated for the Ghana fund.

Mill Creek Church of the Brethren

7600 Port Republic Road

Port Republic, VA 24471