Jill Faulkner Summers

Jill Faulkner Summers

Jill Faulkner Summers, 74, died Monday, April 21, 2008, at her home, Knole Farm, following a severe stroke she suffered in November 2006. She was surrounded in spirit by her family, by Daphne F. Wood of Thomasville, Georgia, her lifelong friend, and by Ruth Gordon of Crozet. Born in Oxford, Mississippi, June 24, 1933, she was the daughter of the late William and Estelle Faulkner.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Paul D. Summers Jr.; by her son, Paul D. Summers III; by her daughter, Catherine F. Summers; and by her son, A. Burks Summers II and his wife, Stewart Elliott. Four grandchildren, Jordan Summers, Stewart Summers, A. Burks Summers III and Elena Summers also survive. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Alexandra Summers.

Jill was fascinated with the interplay of flavors, smells, textures and tastes of food - as she often said she just enjoyed cooking. She considered herself lucky to have all 11 family members for "high days" and holidays. Often as many as 25 family and friends would savor a special meal she had prepared.

Next to her family, and reading, Jill's great love and interest were her foxhounds. At the time of her stroke she was the longest-serving active lady Master of Foxhounds in North America. She had a keen eye for hounds and horses and over 40 years developed a truly remarkable line of American and Crossbred hounds. Most mornings she would be at the Farmington Hunt Club kennels for several hours at least - year round.

Jill was also an avid and accomplished trout fisherman having been initiated into the sport by her husband in 1955. They often spent several weeks a year together fishing in Pennsylvania, Montana and Canada. She greatly enjoyed the solitude and surroundings of the sport.

Her husband and family wish to thank Hospice of the Piedmont and the ladies of Above-N-Beyond (Karen Crawford, Ellen Morris, Kendall Morris, Sheryl Morris, Constance Nowell, Sheila Martin, Katherine Shifflett and Patty Shifflett) who watched over Jill during the difficult time after her stroke and in the truest meaning of the words gave her Tender Loving Care.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Church, Ivy, Virginia, at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2008, with the Reverend H. Miller Hunter Jr. officiating. A private family burial will take place later.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Farming-ton Hunt Club Panel Fund, P.O. Box 5562, Charlottesville, VA 22905.

Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.