John Philip Southerland, 81, of Greenville, died Saturday, February 28, 2009. Born in Wilmington, N.C., a son of the late William J. and Edith B. Southerland. The family moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C., in 1933, where he graduated from Myrtle Beach High School. John attended The Citadel, served in U.S. Navy at end of World War II and returned to The Citadel to graduate in 1949. He is survived by his wife, Bette Cox Southerland of the home; one son, John Philip Southerland, Jr. of Moorestown, N.J.; and a daughter, Anne S. Ellefson; five grandchildren, John Philip Southerland, III, Rebecca and Anne Cooper Ellefson, William Andrew Southerland and Matthew Carson Southerland; a brother, William J. Southerland, Jr. of Sattelite Beach, Fla.; a daughter-in-law, Nancy O. Southerland; and a son-in-law, Theodore W. Ellefson, Jr. He spent 37 years in South Carolina banks in Myrtle Beach, Florence, Laurens and Greenville. He was Senior Vice President and statewide Director of Marketing and Business Development for Southern Bank Donaldson Center Industrial Air Park in Greenville, retiring in 1995, and has served on the Donaldson Development Committee since. He was an Elder of the Fourth Presbyterian Church and served as Chairman of its Building Committee. He was a member of Foothills Presbytery Council and has been Moderator of Foothills Presbytery, as well as Treasurer. Active in civic affairs, he had been a Director of the Southern Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the Greenville Chamber, The S.C. Bankers Association, The Greenville Rotary Club, he served as a Member of the State Development Board. He was a graduate of Class 1 of Leadership Greenville and later served as Chairman of its Board of Regents. He was a member of the Greenville Country Club and was a Past President of its Board of Governors. Was a charter member of the Saint Andrews Society of Upper South Carolina and was President for 1998 and 1999. He served as a member of the Board of Directors and President of the Greenville Symphony Association. He was a member of the Advisory Board of First Union National Bank. A member of the Board of Directors of the University Center of Greenville and had served as President of its Board of Visitors. Southerland also served on the Board of Directors of the Piedmont Health Care Foundation and was President of the Foundation. Memorial services will be Monday, March 2, 2009, at 4 p.m. at the Fourth Presbyterian Church, with the Reverend Dr. Allen C. McSween, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. The Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Drive. For online registry and obituaries, visit www.mackeymortuary.com. Tags: 1949
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