Blue Bird, I too live in the southern US. While it might not get as cold as the northern states it does get cold here.

I have a Mountain Horse jacket I got from Dover Saddlery. It's actually the second one I've owned. The come in hip length and knee length. I have the hip length one and love it. Not only is it warm, it is waterproof. Where I live cold weather is usually rainy weather.

They are also incredibly durable. My first one lasted through ten years of hard wear. Matter of fact, I still wear it around the farm when I'm working.