Candace Sumrall

Dec. 20, 1960 - Mar. 29, 2017 After a protracted battle with cancer, Candace Daniel Sumrall died on March 29, 2017 at the age of 56 in Birmingham, AL. She leaves behind her husband, David and her daughters, Mary Gray and Megan. Candace was born on December 20, 1960, in Lewisburg, TN, to mother Marion Delle Gordon, and father Glen Daniel who predeceased her. She grew up in a large, loving family including two brothers Sterling and Joey and a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmothers and great grandmothers who loved her. In college, she excelled in the sciences and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Microbiology in 1985. Candace excelled in her career at Bristol-Myers in pharmaceutical sales winning many awards and rewarded with trips abroad to many destinations including Italy, Aruba, Mexico, and Bermuda. When diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she dedicated herself to her children and her fight against cancer. She used her pharmaceutical and microbiology knowledge to challenge her doctors beyond traditional treatments prolonging her life to raise her daughters through childhood. She remained a brave, iron-willed woman, even throughout her final months. Candace is survived by her husband and children, mother and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her grandparents "Pappy" and Melba Culbertson, her father Glen Daniel and grandparents Glendon and Jesse Ruth Daniel and her two younger brothers Sterling and Joey Gordon. Candace was a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church. Candace wished to be cremated. Her ashes will be interred next to the grave of her grandmother, Melba, whom she so adored. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Canterbury Center with visitation at 2 PM and service at 3 PM. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 6 at 2:00 PM at the Farmington Church of Christ in Farmington, TN with visitation and refreshments to follow in the fellowship hall at the church. The family would especially like to thank Andy and Martha Carter and the Farmington Church of Christ for making the final arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the American Cancer Society or generously support the next student who requests a donation for their Relay for Life cancer drive.