DAVID L. SUMMERLIN
May 14, 1940-July 13, 2015
David Louis Summerlin, 75, lifelong resident and iconic figure in the quaint, farming community of Summerlin's Crossroads in Duplin County near Mount Olive, passed away late Monday afternoon, July 13, at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh following several weeks of acute hospitalization.
With the fact of Mr. Summerlin being a charter member of Oak Wolfe Volunteer Fire Department, it is a most fitting tribute that funeral services to remember this good community servant's life be held there Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m., officiated by the Rev. Wanda G. Simmons, and with remarks being shared by Duplin Fire Marshall Ricky Deaver, Oak Wolfe Chief Major Ivey and Bethel Church Spokesman Charles Ivey.
After being taken for "one last ride" on Oak Wolfe Engine Two, he will be laid to rest next to his late parents and other kin in Summerlin Family Cemetery, located next to the Summerlin residence. Fireman's funeral honors will be rendered at the service.
The Summerlin family will receive friends at Oak Wolfe Fire Department, 2418 Summerlin's Crossroads Road, Mount Olive., Friday, July 17, from 6 to 9 p.m., and at other times, at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial gifts be made to Oak Wolfe Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Jack Alphin, 519 Bethel Church Road, Mount Olive, N.C., or Bethel United Methodist Church, c/o Charles Ivey, 2284 Summerlin's Crossroads Road, Mount Olive, N.C.
Since its founding in 1967, Oak Wolfe Fire Department had been an integral part of Mr. Summerlin's daily life.
At his father's untimely death in 1973, he succeeded him as chief, becoming the second chief in the history of the department, a position he held until recent years.
He had served in the North Carolina National Guard, retiring from service in 2000.
A lifelong parishioner at Bethel United Methodist Church, it was there that he served in various capacities through the years, taking upon himself to attend to the heating and air, lighting and sound system needs of the congregation.
Having been raised on a farm, he continued the farming tradition of his family, and in later years, he had concentrated mostly on poultry and livestock production.
He is survived by a sister, Eva Nan Summerlin, and a brother, Henry Paul Summerlin, with whom he shared the home in which they all were born and continued to live.
He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Gaynelle Puckett Summerlin of Jacksonville; an aunt, Pauline Goodson Grady of Mount Olive; and numerous nieces and nephews to include Joseph McCoy Hudson, his wife, Rose Holmes Hudson, and their daughter, Heather Rose Hudson, all of Mount Olive, Mary Allen Hudson of O'Berry Center in Goldsboro, Lu Anne Summerlin Swinson, her husband, Todd, and their daughter, Alexis, of Kenansville, Michael Troy Summerlin and friend, Robert Dodge, of Raleigh, Clay Summerlin, his wife, Carol, and their children, Tyler and Morgan, of Clemson, S.C., Billie Gaye Summerlin Stokes, her husband, Tom, and their children, Amanda and Tommy, of Frederick, Md., Tracie Summerlin Holcomb and her husband, Norman "Rocky," of Virginia Beach, Va., and Raymond McCoy Summerlin, his wife, Beth, and their son, Andrew, of Hannibal, Mo.; other great-nieces and great-nephews, Matthew Levai, his wife, Erica, and their son, Rylan Case, of Kenansville, Mary Beth Lunsford, her husband, Weston, and their daughter, Avery Grace, of Milton, Fla., and Timothy McCoy Summerlin and his wife, April, of Hannibal, Mo.; a special friend, Maynor Perez of Mount Olive; many cousins and much extended family; and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, McCoy S. and Nannie Grady Summerlin; a sister, Mary Lou Summerlin Hudson; a brother, Col. Billy M. Summerlin, United States Marine Corps retired; a brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy O. and Ernesteen Jones Summerlin; and a great-nephew, Eric McCoy Hudson.
Indeed, the Summerlin's Crossroads community is mourning the loss of one of its finest residents.
David Summerlin was a true and loyal community servant. His ever-present smile and ready helping hand will be greatly missed.
Arrangements are with Tyndall Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be posted at www.tyndallfh.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on July 17, 2015 1:48 PM