Mr. Paul Columbus Southard, age 79 of Elkin, passed away Monday, December 20, 2010. He was born July 1, 1931 in Surry County to Martin and Fannie Carpenter Southard. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter Brenda Louise Whitaker. Survivors include his wife Ruth C. Southard; daughter Marie S. Lipton and husband Marcus of Columbia, S.C.; son-in-law Tony M. Whitaker of Hillsborough N.C.; sister Elizabeth Southard of Dobson; six grandchildren Jesse Whitaker, Hannah Whitaker, Ben Lipton, Amanda L. Hamilton, Seth Whitaker and Gracie Whitaker; one great grandchild Oliver Brenner. All services are private. Online condolences may be made at www.elkinfuneralservice.com The family requests that memorials be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 688 N. Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Woltz Hospice Home for their care.