Mike South

Mike South died June 22, at the age of 75. He was the son of LB and Emogene South.

Mike's life can only be described as a complete God-thing. He became a Christian as a teenager after his grandmother, Minnie, began taking him to the Nazarene church. He was ultimately called to preach as a senior in high school. He boarded a bus at midnight in Little Rock and arrived in Bethany, OK the next day. After paying a cab to get him from the bus station to Southern Nazarene University, he had $5.00 in his pocket and one pasteboard suitcase. He worked his way through a four-year program at SNU and a three-year master's program at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City by working in the school cafeteria/kitchen, delivering prescriptions for a pharmacy, and roofing houses. He often talked about how with every shingle he hammered down, he'd say to himself, "THIS is why I'm going to college!"

 Following seminary, his ministry included fulltime and bi-vocational staff positions as pastor and as minister to singles, families, and young professionals, all in TX and AR. He never liked to call his ministry "work" since it truly reflected his heart. 

Prior to moving to Little Rock, Mike spent 15 years in the Dallas area where he forged life-long friendships with three men he met in the singles group at Richardson Nazarene Church; Wendell Sullivan, Kent Plemons, and Rik Sowell. Gradually, each one married and left Dallas, but they remained in close contact through the years.

 Mike and Sue Carol married late in life after he moved to Little Rock from Dallas. A tragic accident took the life of his younger brother's fiancé, Dante Pounders, leading Mike to drop everything and move so he could help his brother, Mark, navigate this devastating time. Mike and Sue Carol knew without a doubt that God's bringing them together amid so much sorrow was by His pure mercy. 

Friends and family know of the health challenges Mike has endured since 2013. It's been hard to understand how someone with so much drive and heart for others wasn't blessed with good health. Those questions are no longer of any consequence since we firmly believe the scriptures that speak of Heaven, where there is no more sickness, sadness, pain, or tears. What a comfort to know Mike is without pain and is in the presence of God Almighty.

Left to cherish sweet memories are Mike's wife, Sue Carol, his son, Michael, and Michael's wife, Carrie, the daughter he gained November 2018. He truly loved her and her family. Mike never failed to say, "I love you" and "I'm proud of you"... Every. Single. Day. He often said he wasn't perfect as a parent, but his love for his family was unconditional and unwavering. Mike is also survived by his brothers, Mark and Bruce and their families. He considered family his greatest blessing. 

Friends and family are welcome to attend a Visitation on Wednesday, June 26 from 4:00-6:00pm at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home. At Mike's request there will be no funeral. Since there will be no formal funeral, we ask that you share memories of Mike on the website of Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, www.smithfamilycares.com/little-rock/obituaries.

 In lieu of food and flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Calvary Church of the Nazarene, 10325 West 36th Street, Little Rock, AR 72204.