Grace Hurley Southard

  Grace J Hurley Southard, 87, was a long time resident of New Egypt NJ until she moved to 131 Cedar Street, Hertford, NC 27944. She passed away Saturday, April 10, 2021 when the angels called her home. Prior to her passing she was being cared for by her daughter Peggy Tilghman and other family members.

   Born in Jackson, NJ on May 24, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Albert M. and Caroline Burroughs Hurley. Retired from RCA Astro Electronics, now Lockheed Martin, in Hightstown New Jersey. She was Methodist by faith. She was also a former member of the New Egypt Fire Department Auxiliary. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Ruthie Hurley Letts, Carolyn (Honey)Hurley Hughes, Marie Hurley Caines and Pattie McGee Libby; brothers, Bill, Wilson, Walter, Benny, and Bobby Hurley; and a son-in-law, Daniel Orts, Jr. Surviving are her seven children, Kenneth (Chuck) Southard, Deborah Southard Majzer (husband, Robert (Stretch), Carol Southard Lupton, Roberta Southard Orts, Peggy Southard Tilghman, Barbara Southard Scoville (husband, Al), and Robert Southard, Jr. (Bobby) two sisters, Mary Hurley DiNardo and Linda Hurley Clark; 16 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

   Her favorite holidays were Christmas and Easter. Christmas, she loved decorating inside and out making it all come alive with the magic of the holiday. She won best decorated yard in New Egypt NJ several years in a row. She enjoyed the family reunions where all her family gathered at her home which included her children, son in laws, grandchildren and their spouses, and great grandchildren along with other family members that were able to attend. Her other favorite holiday was Easter seeing her flowers begin to bloom and watching her kids then grandkids then great grandkids look for Easter Eggs. She so enjoyed these holidays and having her family together for big sit down dinners. She always had a way of making the holidays Magical. In addition to the holidays she so enjoyed traveling, going on cruises and the gambling boat. She passed down many of her recipes which many of us enjoy and continue to use. She enjoyed Piney’s Hog Farm where she did the catering side of the business and made all the side dishes and created new recipes with her own flare. In addition, she enjoyed her gardening and being outside with nature, but her all time favorite was her roses and many types of flowers.

   A memorial service remembering her life will be held in New Jersey at a later date. Miller & Van Essendelft, Funeral and Cremation Providers, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.