Emma K. Summers

EMMA KATHRYN SUMMERS was born May 28, 1934, in Columbus, Ohio to the late Ernest and Esther (Banks) Anderson.

In 1967, Sister Summers was led to worship in Springfield by one of her dearest friends, Stella Cavin, where she attended the Church of God at 1819 West Washington Street until the congregation moved to 709 E. Grand Avenue. When she became ill and was unable to attend church, she began listening on-line to the services at Wayne Avenue Church of God. Mom had many talents. She was the family pianist when the family would gather around the huge piano in the front room and Dad would start singing, Dead to Every Worldly Pleasure, and we would sing hymns most of the evening. A few of Mom’s favorite hymns were, In The Garden, When We All Get To Heaven, Until Then and many more. Mom was known for her delicious Pound Cakes and had many requests for them on special occasions and events.

As a young woman, Mom worked for JDC (Juvenile Detention Center), where she was a Youth Leader. She also attended CTI (Columbus State Community College). She later worked at The Columbus Call and Post until Esther asked her to come home. She then took up babysitting. Mom baby sat a number of children over the years. In 1983, Mom returned to the work force as a Nurse Assistant. In 1984, Mom and Dad became Foster Parents to many sets of foster children. In 1990 she was asked by the late Amos Lynch (her brother-in-law) to come back to The Columbus Call and Post as an Office Manager to run the front office of
the newspaper. And that she did! She made sure outstanding accounts were paid, and all newspapers that were not sold were accounted for. If the numbers didn’t add up correctly you can be sure the carriers received a quick phone call notifying them that, “Your numbers don’t match the paper count. What’s going on?” Mom worked at The Call and Post until she became ill and was unable to go into the office. But that wasn’t the end of her employment journey. She became the babysitter, lunch maker, and delivery driver for newborn Jacob and two years later Erika, along with any of her grandchildren that were home from school sick.

Mom loved to travel, visiting many places including New Jersey, California, Oregon, Vichy, MO, West Middlesex, PA every August, Alabama, Louisiana and Georgia to name a few. She even took a trip to the Bahamas, and also a 10-day Song of America Cruise with the Gaithers and Michael English. She would return from her trips bearing gifts. Mom was an avid collector of bells and accumulated quite a beautiful collection. She also loved to sew, and assisted her mother in making her daughters Karen’s wedding dress. We were blessed with many of the outfits she made. Her friend, Sister Annette Burks, taught her to crochet and once she learned, she made a number of afghans.

Blessed with eighty-six years of life, Mom was called from labor to eternal rest on Wednesday November 25, 2020 at 2:00 am at the Village of Westerville Health Care Facility. She was preceded in death by her husband Cicero Summers, her parents Ernest and Esther Anderson, sisters, Geraldine Anderson-Lynch, Barbaradale Anderson-Willingham, brothers, Donald E. Anderson, Edward Anderson and Carl Anderson, and special friends Bro. & Sis. Donald Walker Sr.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, son, Keith A. Summers of Panama Beach, FL., daughters
Karen J. Summers, Springfield, OH., Esther A. Summers-Nowell (Jay Nowell Sr.) Grove City, OH, one sister Dr. Pamela J. Anderson, eleven grandchildren, (from oldest) Jay Jr. (Amey) Nowell, Sean Phillips, Blair Summers-Higgins (Kenneth Higgins II), Justyn Nowell, Calvin (De’Andre) Phillips, Ian (Jasmine) Summers,Jeromi (Galana) Nowell, Ryan Summers, Jacob (Za’hava) Nowell, Erika Nowell, and Alexis Summers. Ten great grandchildren Jayden, Jorea’h, and Jamee Nowell, Kenneth Higgins III, Kolstin Higgins, Jeremiah Nowell, Domonic (Mister) Nowell, Malchiel Nowell, Kyrie Summers, Raphael Steward Jr. Many nieces, including special nieces, Victoria (Vicki) Donaldson-Williams (Maryland), and Lisa Willingham (North Carolina), nephews, cousins and other relatives. Special friends, Sister Stella Cavin, Aunt Ann Hall, Sister Juanita Robinson, The Kenerly Family, The Flewellen Family, Pastor Christopher Green, Kim (Mom’s roommate), and the staff at The Village of Westerville.

PRIVATE Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Saturday, December 5, 2020 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH 2500 Cleveland Ave.

Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery.

A MASK IS MANDATORY.