East Bend, N.C., farrier George Southern passed away Dec. 20, 2018. He was 94.

Southern worked as a blacksmith and farrier for most of his life. He began his career in the late 1950s and traveled the horse show circuit. He was honored by the North Carolina State Fair for 25 years of service by being appointed Official Horse Show Farrier in 1999, and was inducted into the Carolinas Horsemen's Hall of Fame in 2001. Before beginning his career as a farrier, Southern served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1946, and also worked for Hanes Hosiery after being honorably discharged.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at Mizpah Moravian Church, 3195 Mizpah Church Rd., Rural Hall, N.C. 27045. Following the service, Southern's family will receive friends and family. Those who wish to do so may make memorial donations to the Mizpah Moravian Church Graveyard Fund in lieu of flowers.