The Rev. Lloyd Michael "Mike" Southall-Vess went to be with his Lord on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at his residence in Lenoir, North Carolina.

Mike was born on April 9, 1959 to the late Lloyd Monroe Vess and Elizabeth Ann Woodruff Vess in Lenoir, NC. Mike's early spiritual life was very much influence by his grandmother, Addie Woodruff, also of Lenoir. His journey of faith was shaped in later years by the guidance and Christian formation he received as a member of College Hill Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Mike was a graduate of Virginia Technological Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia and Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

He married Marable Southall-Vess on February 14, 1992 and is remembered by her as a loving husband who gave her a full and happy life for 34 years.

Mike heard the call of God to ministry serving as an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church for over 30 years. He was known for using bold and inspiring ways of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ with the congregations he served, for making deep friendships, and for his unique celebrative spirit that touched the lives of many men, women, and children throughout the Virginia Conference in Massanutten (Harrisonburg), Portsmouth, Lynchburg, the Northern Neck, Arlington, and Richmond areas; retiring on July 1, 2026. Mike also was privileged to answer God's call to serve with Marable as a General Board of Global Ministries missionary to Japan from 2002 to 2006.

Mike's hobbies included being a private pilot, building and flying remote controlled planes, gardening, fishing, cooking and canning, and caring for his pet Schnauzers and rabbits.

Mike is survived by his wife, The Rev. Marable Southall-Vess of Lenoir, NC; his daughter, Sarah Bean of Soel, Korea; granddaughter, Adelyn Bean of Soel, Korea; two sisters, Kimberly Vess and Cheryl Burgess and husband Jeff, all of Lynchburg, Virginia; and his niece and nephew, Rebekah Burgess and James Burgess, both of Lynchburg, Virginia.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Monroe Vess and Elizabeth Ann Woodruff Vess.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home. A graveside service will immediately follow at 11:00 A.M. at Blue Ridge Memorial Park with Rev. Dan Money officiating.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at Central United Methodist Church, 1213 Porter Street, Richmond, VA 23224, with Rev. Dr. Jim Noland and Rev. Bayo Ogungbade officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Yokefellow of Caldwell County, 202 Harper Avenue, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Southall-Vess family.