Phyllis Jean "Deany" Summers

Phyllis Jean "Deany" Summers

Phyllis Jean "Deany" Summers, 81, went to be with her Lord on December 2, 2010, at the Shenandoah Nursing Home in Fishersville after a long illness.

She was born in Waynesboro, on July 10, 1929, the daughter of the late Guy Allen Fortune and Anna Mae Gill.

During her working years, she was employed by DuPont, General Electric, and the Peoples Pharmacy in Waynesboro. After moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 1969, she was a successful Avon Lady and also a sales associate for the La Vogue apparel company. With her husband, she retired in 1987, and became a full-time housewife in Weyers Cave, returning to Waynesboro in 1993. They spent ten years traveling in their motor home throughout the United States and Canada.

Planting flowers in the garden, cultivating indoor plants, and tending the fish and plants in the lily pond were among her favorite hobbies. She loved all the various pets she had throughout her lifetime, most recently "Petie" the parakeet and "Cookie" her 'darling dumpling' Toy Manchester Terrier.

She was sustained through years of illness by her faith in Jesus Christ.

Deany was a charter member of the Wayne Hills United Methodist Church in Waynesboro. She was also an active member of the Bon Air United Methodist Church in Richmond and of the Bethany United Methodist Church in Burketown. Deany wants to be remembered for her favorite daily expression, "LOVE EACH OTHER."

She is survived by her husband of 62 wonderful years, Wilbur "Slats" Summers; daughter, Cheryl Lynn Summers and her husband, Lance Buckley; step-mother-in-law, L. Phyllis Summers; step-sister Frances Tabor; and her special friend, Nancy Croushorn, all of Waynesboro.

Her family expresses special thanks to Dr. James Long and his staff, to the compassionate staff at the Shenandoah Nursing Home, and for the care given by the Hospice of the Piedmont.

The family will receive friends at the McDow Funeral Home from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday, December 5, 2010.

A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Monday, December 6, 2010, at the McDow Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Augusta Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Lance Buckley, Vernon Figgins, Emory Harris, Julian O'Dell, Bob Parrott, and Phil Geisel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wayne Hills United Methodist Church, 932 Fir Street, Waynesboro, with the designation of memorial for Phyllis F. Summers.

Family and friends may share memories and condolences at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.