Anna Mae Southerland
Anna Mae Southerland passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026, at the age of 97.
Born in Holdenville, Oklahoma, on June 7, 1929, Anna was the daughter of the late Charley and Roxie Jacobs. She graduated from Holdenville High School and attended college for a year before entering the workforce, working diligently as a nighttime telephone operator.
In 1949, she met and married the love of her life, Ebbin Raney Southerland. The early years of their marriage were a whirlwind adventure; the family moved every six months, and their first three children were born in three different cities. The family eventually found a permanent home and settled in Houston, Texas, where they welcomed their fourth child.
Anna was a deeply devoted mother who immersed herself in her children’s lives. She was an active fixture in the school community, famously helping with the annual school carnivals and serving in the PTA, where her leadership naturally led her to become the organization’s president.
As her children grew, Anna brought her sharp work ethic and warm personality to the family business, serving as a store manager after Raney’s company acquired a chain of variety stores. After the business was sold, she began a long and successful retail career with Kmart in Humble, Texas. She later moved to Belton, eventually retiring from the Kmart location in Temple.
Above all else, Anna loved her family. She cherished family gatherings and treasured the time spent surrounded by those she loved. She also had a lively spirit of adventure and thoroughly enjoyed taking short driving trips with her close friends and playing bingo. Anna is survived by her children: her son, Raney Southerland, Jr.; her daughter, Lu Anna Berringer; and her son, Richard Southerland and his wife, Jan. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Kathy Jordan. Her legacy of love lives on through her 10 grandchildren: Aaron (Sherri), Aris (Chris), Austin (Kexin), Kerry (Beth), Paul (Melanie), Jeff, Holly (Zach), Shawnna (Chris), Darryl, and Christi. She was the proud matriarch to 24 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great- grandchildren. She also leaves behind her beloved nephews: Don (Ellie), Gary (Sue Ann), Alan, and Danny (Shirley).
Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Charley and Roxie Jacobs; her beloved husband, Ebbin Raney Southerland; her son, Charles Barton Southerland; her sister, Jean Carpenter; her son-inlaw, Larry Berringer; her daughterin- law, Ona Southerland; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald and Edna Southerland.
Service Details: A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Dossman Funeral Home, located at 2525 N. Main Street, Belton, Texas.
