A life journey was opened for Onevia Southwell on November 25, 1939. She was the ninth of fourteen siblings born to the late William and Arkansas Sylvester in the Clear Creek Community of Roganville, Texas. She attended J. H. Rowe High School in Jasper, Texas, class of 1956.

She accepted Christ at an early age and united with the Pleasant Groove Baptist Church. She later united with the
Evergreen Baptist Church, where she served until death.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Southwell, Sr.; son, Mark Southwell; parents, William and Arkansas Sylvester; six sisters, Jewel Kenebrew, Adella Rollins, Della Kenebrew, Willie Mae Adams, Rozena Kenebrew, and Indiana Coleman; and three brothers, Elbert Sylvester, Leroy Sylvester, and Elbee Sylvester.
Onevia's life journey was closed Sunday, April 21, 2024, when she entered into eternal rest at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas.

She leaves to cherish her memories: two sons, Alfred (Kim) Southwell of Beaumont, TX, and John (Contreda) Southwell, Jr. of Jasper, TX; one daughter, Rita (Jeff) Watts of Jasper, TX; seven grandchildren, Zachary (Alexandra Charleston) Watts of Portland, OR, Tokoia (Gary) Daigle of Cypress, TX, Deshawn (Cierra) Southwell of Beaumont, TX, Trenten Watts of The Woodlands, TX, Kendrick Southwell of Jasper, TX, Karah Jackson
of Humble, TX, and Ashanti Larkin of Nacogdoches, TX; five great-grandchildren, Garrison, Ava, Olivia, Avery, and Elijah; two sisters, Daisy Palmer of Jasper, TX, and Gloria Kyles of Beaumont, TX; two brothers, Mack Arthur (Patsy) Sylvester of Jasper, TX, and Wyland (Bonnie) Sylvester of Orange, TX; two sisters-in-law, Juanita Smith and Thelma Bobb; two brothers-in-law, Willard Southwell (Earlene) and Jessie Southwell (Mae); and a host of
nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.