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Ralph Jackson Sumner Veteran
October 24, 2018

Obituary

Ralph Jackson Sumner, 88, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia.

Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Saturday, October 27, 2018, at Dorminy’s Mill Baptist Church, in Ben Hill County, with the Rev. Terry Pope and the Rev. Earl Perry officiating. Interment will follow in the Irwinville Cemetery, in Irwin County, Georgia, with the Rev. Chuck Taylor officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Friday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.

Mr. Sumner was born September 8, 1930, in Turner County, Georgia, to the late Daniel Thelma & Annie Lois Kelly Sumner. He served his country honorably in the United States Army, retiring as Sergeant First Class after 22 years. He served in Korea and Vietnam. Following his retirement, he retired from Delco Remy as a mechanic and machinist. Mr. Sumner was a member of the American Legion Post 99 Mars McDonald and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was an avid pool player and enjoyed hosting friends and family each Thursday night to play. He loved riding motorcycles and cherished his personal collection of them. His family and his church were his passions and he was looking forward to the new additions coming to his family. He will be greatly missed by his chihuahua, Chloe. Mr. Sumner was an active member and deacon of Dorminy’s Mill Baptist Church where he served on the Building Committee.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Patsy Waller Sumner of Fitzgerald; children: Daniel & Terri Sumner, Ralph K. Sumner, Tim Sumner, David & Kathy Sumner, Deb & Larry Mobley, Eugene & Elaine Aycock, Teresa & Wallace Peacock, Jim & Beth Aycock, and Tammy & Scott Roberts; mother of his children, Nancy Markham Sumner Neal of Fitzgerald; 21 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Walt & Janice Sumner of Fitzgerald, a sister, Laverne & Horace Pritchett of Macon; a sister-in-law, Carolyn & Johnny Jordan of Fitzgerald; and a brother-in-law, Gene Sheffield of Fitzgerald. Many nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, James Dennis Sumner and Robert A. “Rob” Sumner; a grandson, Jessie James Harrell; a granddaughter, Sheena Mack; five brothers: Wendell Sumner, Ray Sumner, Kelly Sumner, Bobby Sumner, and Frank Sumner; and five sisters: Romelle Sumner, Mary Ruth S. Walker, Frances S. Fussell, Elizabeth S. Hall, and Jeanette S. Richartz.

The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Dorminy’s Mill Baptist Church, c/o Glenda Wilson, P.O. Box 1133, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to Gideons International, Ben Hill-Irwin Camp, P.O. Box 752, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.

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Paulk Funeral Home
301 South Main Street
Fitzgerald, GA 31750
229-423-2033