Rev. Jack Earl Summers

Rev. Jack Earl Summers, age 84 of Cornelia, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2016.

Born in Princeton, Indiana, on February 16, 1932, he was a son of the late James Franklin, Sr. and Ada Gertrude Wilkie Summers.  Rev. Summers graduated from Princeton High School in 1950.  He played professional baseball in 1951 in the Wisconsin State League, which was a Class D League (equivalent to a Class A League now) in the New York Yankees Organization.  He then entered the U.S. Air Force in 1952, where he served for four years during the Korean Conflict.  In 1956, he entered Georgia State University, where he graduated in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  After graduation, he entered the Management Training Program with New York Life Insurance Company where he worked for five years.  In 1964, Rev. Summers enrolled in Candler School of Theology at Emory University.  Upon graduation, he entered the ministry with the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church where he served for 49 years.  During this time, he pastored several area churches and had recently served at Chattahoochee United Methodist Church for the past 17 years.

Rev. Summers was a Hamm Radio operator and was also a private pilot.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, James Franklin “Bud” Summers, Jr.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Frances Ellis Summers of Cornelia, daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Greg Petitt of Cleveland; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Stacey Summers of Crawford, Georgia, Paul and Julie Ann Summers and Andrew and Debbie Summers all of McDonough, Georgia; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services are 12 noon on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at Chattahoochee United Methodist Church with Rev. Wayne Wilkes and Mr. Randy King officiating.  Rev. Summers will lie in state from 11:30 am until the service hour on Saturday. Interment will follow in Level Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 pm on Friday at the funeral home.

Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the Chattahoochee United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 994, Helen, Georgia 30545.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.