James Rudolph

Sumner

Obituary

James Rudolph Sumner, 74, of Tifton died Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2008, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Bro. Paul Brewer, Bro. Jimmy Hinson and Rev. Paul Sumner will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Tommy Stone, Tim Sumner, Gene Hinson, Stephen Sumner, Thomas Sumner, Matthew Palmer, Aubrey Sumner and Everette Rowan will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank McGill, Milton Mercer, Jackie Crumley, Jerry Crumley, Larry Gunn, Darwin Eason, Henry Crumley, Jr., Jackie Mitchell, Walt Waller, L. A. Scott, Michael Ivey, Jack Cox, Wendell Sumner, Frank McLendon, Mark Phelps, Terry Pafford, Robert Sumner, Chuck Ginwright, Guy Daughtry, Ed Powell, Donnie Simmons, Ray Hunt Sr., Buster Mercer and John Hatley. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.

Mr. Sumner was born on October 31, 1933 in Cook County and was the son of Charlie Lee Sumner and Lulabelle Shannon Sumner, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, T. S. Sumner, Elwood Summer and Howard Sumner. He was a retired farmer and a member of Life Tabernacle in Tifton, where he served as pastor.

Mr. Sumner is survived by his wife, Mary Hinson Sumner of Tifton; one son, Steve Sumner of Omega; two daughters and one son-in-law, Becky Sumner of Omega and June and Ken Ponder of Omega; one brother, Charles Sumner of Omega; three sisters, Valda Rowan of Omega, Mary Sumner of Omega and Faye Watson of Jeffersonville, Indiana; and three grandchildren, Stephen Sumner, Thomas Sumner and Elisabeth Ponder.