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Donald E. Southall of Tomball, Texas, and longtime resident of Spencer, WV passed away in Spring, Texas on February 26, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Eleneva Kee Southall, son Jeffrey and his wife Debra, and grandson Jeffrey Scott Southall.

Donald – or "Don" as he was known to almost everyone, was born in Ripley, WV on November 20, 1934, to James Boyd and Arvilla Nadine Southall. The youngest of five brothers and two sisters, the family was devastated when his father died of injuries sustained in an engineering accident while Don was only four years old.

Don and his siblings helped their mother through many difficult times and moved to Roane County WV and worked to graduate from Walton High School in 1952.

Don then followed in his brother's footsteps by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1954, rising to the rank of Sargent before his honorable discharge in 1958. He then enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and made that a career and was honorably discharged as a Senior Chief in 1975.

In time between the Marines and Coast Guard, Don returned to Roane County, and there married his sweetheart, Eleneva, in December of 1958, and welcomed a son, Jeff, in 1959.

During his time with the USCG, Don and his family lived in many different areas of the United States, including Illinois, Michigan, Alaska, California, New York. He then moved back to Spencer, West Virginia in 1975, and then to Texas in 2020.

While in Kodiak, Alaska, Don was baptized into the Church of Christ, and over the years served as a Deacon, Teacher, and Minister to various congregations and was one of the founders and a longtime supporter of the congregation at Steer Creek, West Virginia.

Don followed his military career by graduating magna cum laude from Glenville (WV) State College in 1979 and received his Master's in 1980 from the WV College of Graduate Studies.

He then took a job with the Roane County Board of Education, eventually becoming a Director before retiring for a second time in 1996.

Don then spent many enjoyable years working on his beautiful farmland, and spent countless hours with his grandson, Jeffrey Scott.

Don was known for his positive attitude and sunny disposition and left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.