Melvina and E. Leroy

Souther Jr.

LIVERMORE FALLS — E. Leroy and Melvina Souther Jr. of Livermore Falls were honored at a gathering of family and friends at LaFleur’s Restaurant on Oct. 3 on the occasion of their 70th wedding anniversary. Guests were welcomed by their son, Clark, and the blessing was given by Mr. Souther’s brother, Harold.

Memories were shared by those in attendance prior to and during the meal. A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of a Legislative sentiment from the state of Maine by Sen. John Nutting of Leeds in recognition of the couple’s milestone anniversary.

Mrs. Souther was educated in the schools of Livermore Falls and graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1940. Mr. Souther was also educated in local schools and graduated from LFHS in 1934. They were married in a home ceremony by the Rev. F. Stuart Kinley on Oct. 13, 1940, and set up housekeeping in their current home on the Souther Road. In time they became the parents of four sons, Clark, Wilbur, Waldo and Ernest III.

The Southers have been active in their church and community for more than seven decades. Mrs. Souther became the leader of the Tanta-Ma-Heag 4-H Club while still in her teens. She taught Sunday school at the First Baptist Church and was youth adviser for Norland and New Norland Granges. She was an active member and officer of Norland and New Norland Granges, belonged to the state and national granges, and served as a director for the Twin County Extension Service.

Mr. Souther retired from International Paper Co. in 1980 after 32 years. He was an active member and officer of the Norland and New Norland Granges, belonged to the state and national granges, the Rockhound Club and was a director of the Soil Conservation District and the Twin County Extension Service.

He began tree farming when he bought his farm in 1938. In the 1940s and 1950s, he and his wife raised sheep and chickens and were involved in market gardening which provided fresh produce to local stores and employment for area youth.

Souther’s Tree Farm was officially established in 1956 and is carried on today by their son, Ernie. Mr. Souther is a member of the Small Woodlot Association and both he and Mrs. Souther belong to the Maine, Regional and National Christmas Tree Associations. He served the MCTA as vice-president and director and she served as recording secretary. They were named Outstanding Tree Farmers for the state of Maine in 1983 and 1990, and were also honored as New England Regional Tree Farmers.

At 95 and despite blindness, Mr. Souther continues to cut tips which are used in pillows, sachets and for medicinal purposes by Maine Balsam of West Paris and Paines Incense of Auburn.

Although Mrs. Souther undergoes dialysis treatments three times a week, she is energetic, keeps up with her large family, bakes bread for family gatherings and sews for the holidays. Up until five years ago, she made Christmas wreaths for the retail market.

In addition to their sons and daughters-in-law, 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren complete the family of this remarkable, civic-minded couple who for decades helped shape the lives of so many of the young people in Androscoggin County and beyond.