K. C. Earl Southward was born June 6, 1945 to the late David and Gertrude Southward in Tishomingo, Mississippi.

Funeral services will be noon, Friday, June 16, 2017 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. James Lane, officiating, burial to follow in Swan Lake Memorial
Gardens Cemetery with military honors. Viewing will be 10 a.m., Friday at the church until the time of service.

He confessed and accepted Christ at an early age. He graduated from Tishomingo High School and later enlisted in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in September of 1972.

On Oct. 26, 1990 he married Claudette Roberts.

K. C. retired from ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor, Indiana in 2014, after 45 years of service. K. C. loved his family and enjoyed cooking for them every chance he got.
He also loved gardening, working around his home and fishing.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Claudette Southward, Michigan City, Indiana; his children, Althea (Minister Nickeyia) Allen, Ridgeland, Mississippi, Aleisha Hurt; two stepsons, Michael (Shonda) Hester and Dee Hester all of Michigan City, Indiana; one sister, Juanita Benning, Michigan City, Indiana; grandchildren, Malia Hurt, Jaleel Houston, Deion Allen, Jordan Allen, Jeremiah Allen, Kennedy Allen, Michael Hester III, Mykia Mitchell; brother-inlaws, Harold Benning Sr., Roy Alexander, George (Gloria) Roberts and Booker Roberts; special nieces, Pearlie Sanders, Deborah Nelson, Carolyn Austin, Judy Nelson, Donna Southward, Stasi Benning, Carolyn Southward, Julia Alexander and Elizabeth McGaha; one special great niece, Sydni Thomas; special nephews, Harold Benning Jr., Rodney Alexander and Cedric Bullock, special friends, James Mitchell, George Williams and Henry Williams; and a host of nieces and nephews; great nephew, Gary Southward, who was by his uncle K.C.'s side until he made his peaceful transition on June 9, 2017 at Franciscan Hospice of St. Anthony’s Hospital, Michigan City, Indiana.

K. C. was preceded in death by his sisters, Daisy Lee Thorne, Rebecca Southward, Martha Benning, Laura Bullock, Luevenia Alexander, Assilean “Emma” Whitson; his brothers, Bubba Southward, Willie D. Southward, David Howard Southward; brother-in-laws, Lewie Benning and James Bullock.