Kathy Lynn Summers

Dr. Kathy Lynn Summers, 66, of Houston, Texas passed peacefully on February 18, 2024 after a valiant battle with multiple myeloma. She was born to the late Carolyn Summers Hoyt and Charles Eugene Summers on November 27, 1957 in Ames, Iowa. In 1963, Kathy's family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where her dad took a job with Eli Lilly and Company. Kathy was a passionate music lover from an early age, starting piano lessons when she was six years old and learning to play the guitar from her dad. She was also a member of the choir in both her childhood church and high school. Kathy filled her family home with music!

After graduating from North Central High School in Indianapolis in 1976, she obtained her bachelor's degree in biology from Washington University in St. Louis in 1980, then her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1984. In July of that year, the new Dr. Summers came to Houston to begin her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine. She was named Chief Resident her final year of residency, and upon finishing in 1988, she began her private practice in the Texas Medical Center. In 1990, she attained board certification in OB/GYN and was elected as a Fellow in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She practiced primarily at the Woman's Hospital of Texas and served on and chaired many hospital committees. Dr. Summers touched the lives of thousands of women and helped bring over 6000 babies into the world in her 36 years of practice. She was an excellent physician with a sincere and frank manner, beloved by her patients, and highly respected by her colleagues.

In 1984, still in her residency, a friend invited Dr. Summers to West University United Methodist Church. She soon joined the church choir, lending her voice to both the alto and soprano sections. She remained a faithful member of the Chancel Choir for 40 years, singing solos and in ensembles, and serving as a choir officer. Choir members were charmed by her dry sense of humor that occasionally peppered rehearsal. As she juggled work and her love of music, Kathy sometimes had to attend rehearsal or worship in her surgical scrubs. Dr. Summers was an accomplished pianist and handbell ringer who gladly shared her talents in worship. She was accompanist for the children's choir for many years as well as played the keyboard for 26 years for West U Methodist's annual outdoor Christmas nativity production, Christmas Alive. In 1995, Kathy became a founding board member of the West U Methodist School of Fine Arts. She remained active on the board for many of the next 29 years and served as an outstanding Board Chair for the last seven years. Dr. Summers enjoyed volunteering her keen knowledge of worship by serving on the church's worship committee. She also volunteered her excellent vocal skills as a member of the Houston Symphony Chorus for several years. And, as an avid cyclist, she completed the MS 150 race on four separate occasions. The race raises money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

On March 9, 1996, Kathy Lynn Summers and Robert William Hudgins IV, were married at West University United Methodist Church. They were blessed with two children, Robert and Alexandra. Together, Kathy and Robert balanced professional life with parenting, always loving their children well. Kathy shared her lifetime commitment to the Girl Scouts with Alexandra, leading her troop for 10 years and also serving as the cookie chair. The entire Hudgins family delighted in Kathy's creativity in the kitchen. She joyfully baked thousands of cookies, countless batches of fudge, and other fabulous creations during her lifetime. She gifted many of the baked goods to friends and family. Her creativity extended to scrapbooking, sewing, crafting, and fashioning a wonderland of home decor for every season. In addition, she wrote the prized family Christmas letter to extended family and friends each year. Throughout her life, Kathy indulged her love of travel by organizing family reunions, mother/daughter adventures, sister outings, and couples trips to domestic and international destinations. She did this even in the last months of her life. Kathy had a particular fondness for Hawaii and shared many visits there with her family. Her kindness and generosity as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, physician, and friend were unparalleled.

Kathy was preceded in death by both of her parents. She is survived by her husband Robert William Hudgins IV; son, Robert William Hudgins V; daughter, Alexandra Renee Hudgins; brother, Michael Eugene Summers, and his son, Michael Myer (Addi); sister, Tracy Summers Hess, and her children, Carter, Caroline, Christina and Charlie Hess.

A memorial service to celebrate Kathy's life and honor her memory will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 1:00 PM at West University United Methodist Church, located at 3611 University Blvd in Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Kathy's memory to the Dr. Kathy L. Summers Memorial Fund, School of Fine Arts, West University United Methodist Church, 3611 University Blvd, Houston, Texas 77005.