Sarah Ibbie Summers, 87, of Beaumont, passed away on Friday, August 3, 2012, in Houston. She was the daughter of Mary Sue Jordan and Jess Parnell, and was born on March 8, 1925, in Reklaw.
She grew up in Jacksonville and Tyler with her mother and step-father, John Ed Hallmark. Sarah had three brothers, Johnny, Mike, and Jimmy Hallmark. In 1944, she married the love of her life, Rob Roy “Bob” Summers, while he was in the Navy; they had three children together, Bobby, Sandy, and Tim Summers. After Bob graduated from the University of Houston, he went to work for Exxon and was transferred to Beaumont in 1957. Sarah was a great “stay at home mom”, raising her children, keeping a spotless home while preparing wonderful cooked meals every day. She was a shining example to others in showing her love for the Lord, her husband, and her family.
Whether you knew Sarah for a moment or all your life, she touched your life forever. Her legacy will live on in all who love her. We are all better people because she was in our lives. Sarah’s love, kindness, goodness, and value of family will remain in our thoughts and memories forever hopefully making us a better person. She always saw the good in all of us and lifted our spirits with her praise. Sarah was an awesome Christian person. A little piece of her lives in all our hearts.
She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and a faithful member of the Ladies Fidelis Sunday School Class. Sarah loved her church and being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She never met a stranger and was always loving and kind to everyone. Sarah was affectionately known by several names such as Mom, Nonnie, Sissy, and Aunt Say. She was also well known for being very inquisitive about all matters in life and was always saying, “I wonder if, who,” etc. giving her the well deserved title of “Wonder Woman”. Her quick wit and great smile endeared her to so many people. Sarah was a great cook and love to travel, but her most prized possession was spending time with her family.
Survivors include her children, Sandy Walker of Beaumont and Tim Summers and his wife, Candy, of Hamshire; grandchildren, Mark Summers, Mike Summers, Jason Wilson, Whitney Hughes, Jeff Wilson, Sarah Huff, and Dylan Summers; great-grandchildren, Cole, Sam, and Langston Summers, Hunter and Chase Wilson, Noah, Seth, Zach, and Gabe Hughes, Alix Wilson, and Ellie and Annie Huff; brothers, Mike Hallmark and his wife, Sandy, of Whitehouse; and Jimmy Hallmark and his wife, Betty Jane, of Flint; sister-in-law, Janis Hallmark of New Boston; aunt, Billie Byrd of Reklaw; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Bobby Summers; grandchildren; Samantha Summers and Christopher Summers; brother, Johnny Hallmark; and step-father.
A gathering of Mrs. Summers’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, with Reverend Robert Besser officiating. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Mark Summers, Jason Wilson, Mike Summers, Jeff Wilson, Dylan Summers and honorary pallbearer in absentia, Christopher Summers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713; or a charity of one’s choice.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Andrew Aldrich and the staff of St. Elizabeth Dubuis Hospital, especially Debra Chilo and Karen Vincent. We would also like to thank the staff and doctors at Select Specialty Hospital in Houston.
