Horton Miller “Pokey” Southall

Horton Miller “Pokey” Southall, 92, of Lynchburg, passed away Thursday, December 24, 2020. He was the husband of Vivian Jeanette Chaffin Southall for 70 years. They were married September 24, 1950.

Horton was born March 2, 1928, in Pamplin Va., a son of the late Alger Rixey Southall. Sr. and Carrie Tunstall Watson Southall.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sister-in-law, Dr. Alger Rixey Southall, Jr. and wife Sue Howard, and Billy Watson Southall; and his sister Shirley S. DuVal.

He graduated from Pamplin High School and attended Hampden Sydney College and Phillip Business College. While in High School he played basketball and met his future wife, Jeanette, at a game at Boonsboro High School where she played for the girl’s team. In high school he was affectionately remembered as the young man required to sing “Don’t Fence Me In” solo for the school assembly as a penalty for whistling at a girl in the hallway.

He began a life-long career of 37 years with A&P Stores in 1948, as the assistant manager at the 12th and Court Street store in Lynchburg. Following a two-year stint in the army during the Korean conflict, he returned to A&P managing stores in many locations throughout the state. In Lynchburg, he opened and managed the new Fort Hill store and  later the Langhorne Road store. Horton better known as “Pokey” was loved and respected for his sense of humor and personal attention to customers and employees. He once kindly told a stock boy to “work with both hands” and in later years the young remembered the good advice. Pokey took early retirement in 1986 to help care for his invalid mother.

He was a member of North Bedford Baptist Church since 1966 serving as a Deacon and singing in the choir. He was a member of the local Elks Lodge for fifty-seven years. Pokey and Jeanette never had children of their own, but they worked together teaching children in Sunday school and vacation Bible school.  He called all the children his own and they called him Uncle Pokey.

In addition to his wife, Jeanette, he is survived by four nephews, Dr. Al Southall III, and wife Vickie, Frank Howard Southall, and wife Sheri, Robert W. Southall and wife Laura, James Todd Duval and wife Eve; two nieces, Carolyn Sue Southall and Carrie Ann McCoy and husband Steve; sister-in-law Sally Howard Southall; and two special caregivers, Linda Powell and Carolyn Lewis.

Over the years “Pokey” has received loving and devoted care from his church friends Mike and Charlotte Wilson, Jim and Dale Hyden, and neighbor Steven L. Porter. They continued to faithfully minister to him during his illness. The family would like to thank Pokey’s caregivers, Linda Powell and Carolyn Lewis.

A graveside service for Horton Miller “Pokey” life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at North Bedford Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor Jamie Hyden officiating. Interment will follow in North Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Homes, North Bedford Baptist Church, or charity of choice.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.