Mrs. Aleen Smith Weeks Southerland, 96, was called home on August 13th, 2025 at Mary Gran Nursing Center surrounded by her family.  

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Grove Park Baptist Church, with Reverend Jonathan Shattuck and Reverend Michael Shook officiating. A burial service will follow at Clinton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at Grove Park prior to the service, as well as at the home of Aleen Southerland, 1914 Southeast Blvd., Clinton, on Friday, August 15th, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Born September 22, 1928 in Sampson County she was the daughter of the late Gibb and Katie Odum Weeks and the widow of her beloved husband of 60 years, Carl Edward Southerland.

She was a loyal member of Grove Park Baptist Church and the Adult I Sunday School Class.  She found joy in serving many years on the Kitchen Committee.  She was known for her hospitality to family, friends and her church family with her home cooked meals. There was always a meal on the table for both lunch and dinner, and she never knew who might stop by—pastors, deacons, grandchildren, or children. Everyone was welcome, and there was always enough to go around. You could say she had a servants heart at best. She was a retired inventory manager for Roses Department store.  After retirement, she devoted her time to helping care for her grandchildren and was their biggest cheerleader at every sporting event and academic achievement.

She is survived by her daughters: Cathy Cole (Curt) of Potters Hill, NC; Brenda Matthis (Bobby), Peggy Deans (Dewayne), and one son, Ray Southerland (Debbie), all of Clinton, NC. She is also survived by one sister, Rose Gainey of Clinton, NC; eight grandchildren: Tessa Eaddy (Jason), Chance Cole (Jade), Katelin Howard (TJ), Justin Matthis (Tiffany), Lindsey Faircloth (Neil), Laura Warwick (Samuel), Blake Southerland (Marianne), and Taylor French (Forrest); and blessed great grandma of 15 great-grandchildren, with one more expected this fall, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her four sisters: Edna Jackson, Clara Brock, Loreen Bradshaw, and Coleen Westbrook; and five brothers: Woodrow Weeks, Roland Weeks, Franklin Weeks, Thomas Weeks, and William “Bud” Weeks. Flowers are welcome or donations can be made to Grove Park Baptist Church at 609 Northeast Blvd. Clinton, NC 28328.

A special thank you to a very dear person and caregiver, Evangaline Williams, who lovingly cared for our mom and dad for many years. We are also deeply grateful to the dedicated nurses and nurse aides at Mary Gran, as well as the Liberty Hospice care team, for their compassion, support, and kindness during our mom’s final days.