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Nelda Ruth Sumner

FUNERAL HOME

Mt. Zion - Mt. Zion

105 West Main Street

Mt. Zion, Illinois

Nelda Sumner Obituary

DECATUR - Nelda Ruth Sumner, 53, of Decatur, formerly of Greenville, KY and Madisonville, KY, died Friday evening October 17, 2008, at the home of her dear friends, Jack and Berta Pitzer. Nelda was born June 26, 1955, in Russellville, KY, the daughter of the late Willis A. and Margaret R. Sumner of Lewisburg, KY. She had been a teacher, guidance counselor and principal in Hopkins County, KY, Indianapolis, IN, and also in the Decatur area schools. She was the President of Junior Achievement of East Central Illinois for six years. Nelda loved her church, Woodland Chapel Presbyterian, and for the past six years served as Worship Leader. She was committed to Lampstand Ministries where she served on the Board of Directors. She had served on the writing committee for the Great Banquet and for the Awakening. Lampstand Ministries is the covering corporation for all Awakening and Great Banquet Movements and Nelda was instrumental in starting the Lost Bridge Great Banquet in 1999. Nelda is survived by her daughter, Laura Elizabeth Knight of Louisville, KY; her two brothers, Doug (Tassie) Sumner of Louisville, KY, and David (Gena) Sumner of Granger, IN; her two sisters, Martha (John) Rhoads of Greenville, KY and Sarah (Rick) Hempel of Danville, KY; thirteen nieces and nephews and five great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her sister, Susan Lee Sumner. Jack and Berta Pitzer were her closest friends and supporters who provided great comfort to her over the years. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2008, at Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church, 655 S. Airport Road, Decatur. The family will greet with friends one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at 1 p.m. on November 1, 2008, in the Lewisburg Cemetery, Lewisburg, KY. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion, is assisting the family with services. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family c/o www.dawson-wikoff.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to Lampstand Ministries, P.O. Box 732, Madisonville, KY 42431-0732 in Nelda's memory. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp

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Published by Decatur Herald & Review on Oct. 20, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Nelda Sumner

20 Entries

Delena Daves

October 30, 2008

Nelda...what a wonderful person you were. I was not even aware she was sick. So glad Berta and Jack was there for her. Peace to you my friend. I will have good memories of you from The Great Banquet.

Gayla Tate

October 25, 2008

What a beautiful person Nelda was! I met her at the Great Banquet in Decatur. She had such energy and love for the Lord. She truly lit up a room. During her illness, what an inspiration she was. Not one to complain, she continue to praise the Lord. What a wonderful addition she is to God's Kingdom.
My sympathy to her entire family. I hope you all know what a difference she made in the lives of others.

Laurie (Cole) Maxwell

October 23, 2008

I attended grade and high school with Nelda in Lewisburg, Kentucky. We were in band together for many years, graduated together, and had many mutual friends. I have many special memories of the good times our group of close friends spent together during high school. Unfortunately many of us lost contact as the years went by. Nelda was such a talented, beautiful person. I am sorry to hear of her passing, but I am glad to hear from those of you who were her friends that her life was full.

Kenna Pennington

October 23, 2008

Our loss is Heavens gain, may the Lord give your family the grace that only he can.
God Bless you in this time of such a great loss!
Ivan & Kenna Pennington
Bremen, In

Brandy Roberts

October 21, 2008

Nelda was the greatest spirit I ever had contact with. Her faith was magnificent to me. I can not compare her with anything. She was the greatest woman I knew and like a second mother to me. I will miss her more than I can express.

Lisa (Hildabrand) Woodruff

October 21, 2008

Nelda and I grew up together in Lewisburg Methodist Church. Singing music, MYF, she was the city girl, I was the farm girl. Almost every other Sunday between morning and evening services, we were at her cabin on the lake or I had her all over the farm on my horse. I moved away, time passed, our names changed, I always thought I would find her and we would talk about our lives apart. I have always missed her and always will. My prayers are with all of you who were fortunate enough to have known her. I was.

Ronnah Alexander

October 21, 2008

Nelda was such a special light in God's Kingdom. I can remember her encouragement, smile, and beautiful spirit as a bright star to me personally and to all those around her. She will be truly missed and may her family be comforted knowing how her life really enriched all those around her. Much Love, Ronnah

Marilyn Raney

October 20, 2008

I first met Nelda at a Great Banquet several years ago. She truly brought the light of Christ to the very heart of any worship service. Thank you God for blessing Nelda with such a gift of music ministry. She touched many lives for Him! May her family realize what a joy she brought to so many! DeColores!

Michelle Saint-Stoll

October 20, 2008

Nelda was truly a bright light. I got to know her while participating in the banquet, VBS, and a small singing group called "Glorious Praise". She was fun, funny, and there was never any doubt about her feelings for God. She would say to me, "God is Good". She had so many wonderful talents. It was a blessing to be influenced by her love for Christ.

Belva

October 20, 2008

God is Good, ALL The Time!!!

Donna Mars

October 20, 2008

I believe Nelda had the most wonderful voice,and talent for playing the piano. I first met Nelda at a Great Banquet, where she made me go up and sing Lean On Me with her and all the moves that went with the song. I'm afraid I was out of my element as being in front of people is not my thing. I shall always remember her.

A & T Carr

October 20, 2008

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Rosemary Falk

October 20, 2008

Nelda was a very special person who touched the hearts and the lives of everyone she met. I was blessed to serve on the Bloomington-Normal Great Banquet with her last Spring. Her strength and inner peace touched my heart and truly showed me God's love through her beautiful soul. Till we meet again, dear Nelda. I know God has welcomed you home with open arms.

Denise GoLightly

October 20, 2008

We only knew Nelda for a brief time but in that time she touched our lives. We are praying for you, her family knowing that she is singing with the angels around the throne of God. Be blessed!
DeWayne & Denise GoLightly

Kay Smith

October 20, 2008

Thank you, Nelda for the blessing you have been to me and my family. When Chuck died, you went out of your way to find music for "When the Saints Go Marching In" to play at his funeral. And at the end, you gave me a thumbs up- you don't know what a blessing that was to me. I love you, Nelda. Thank God He has healed you from your pain and suffering.
In His Love,

Gina Kirby

October 20, 2008

Nelda and I were friends as little girls. She and Martha would come to Drakesboro to visit their grandmothers and played with my sister Candace, Nelda's cousins, and me. Nelda and I reconnected last spring while serving on the Great Banquet team in Hickory Grove Great Banquent #1 in Orio, IL. What a precious child of God. She's wearing her crown of "Pearls" even as we speak!!! I praise God for her Life! Gina (Cornette) Kirby, Madisonville Great Banquet Community Lay Director.

Lori Bultemeier

October 20, 2008

What a priviledge it was to share a Great Banquet weekend with Nelda. Through her pain and weakness, Jesus was lifted up. She showed us a refection of Christ, our suffering servant. My prayers are with Nelda's family and dear friends. May you grieve well in the eternal Hope that is ours through Christ Jesus.

Denise, Beverly, Berta and Nelda

Beverly Rawlins

October 20, 2008

Happy memories of times shared together. That is what I will always remember. The times we have sang together, laughed together, cried together and worshipped. Until we do that together again..See ya!

Kristi Archer

October 20, 2008

Nelda Sumner was an incredible child of the King! What an amazing witness she was with her life and music ministry, all for the glory of God. I've known her for many years and she never missed an opportunity to tell me and anyone else how good God is. I know Heaven is rejoicing at receiving this saint. She is singing with saints now and no longer in any pain. Thank you Nelda for the blessing you have been and will continue to be in my memories. Thank you Jesus for your love and your light shown through this beautiful lady!

Gale Stenger

October 20, 2008

This is my fondest memory of Nelda. My husband was having surgery in a nearby town with a new doctor. As a wife, I was very concerned for his safety. God gave me a sign....I opened up our newspaper I had brought with us to the hospital. On the back page was a pictured advertisement of a cancer survivor. This was the face of an angel telling me everything would be alright. And Nelda has been an angel to me ever since that day. Thanks be to God for blessing me with that amazing memory. And God bless all the family and friends that are on their journey of filling the huge hole in their hearts. Knowing that she is with her Savior because he has healed her body should bring comfort.
DeColores, Gale Stenger

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