Dr. Diane "Evans" Summers

Dr. Diane Summers was born the sixth of seven siblings in Deerfield Beach, FL. She grew up in Delray Beach, FL and resided in Gilbert, SC for nearly 40 years. She held degrees from Oakwood University (BS), Meharry Medical College (MD), and the University of South Carolina (MPH). While professionally serving as the Chief Medical Officer for the Fort Jackson Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for twenty-two years, she also served two four-year terms on the Lexington 1 School District Board of Trustees. She was the first African American to be elected to that board. Additionally, she was a member of the Board of Directors for the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation for ten years. She enjoyed this role as it allowed her to help others living with her disease, sickle cell anemia.

Her church home for over 30 years was Columbia First Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she served as the clerk.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. John Summers; daughters, Dr. Pamela Summers and Erin Summers; son, Evan Summers and granddaughter, Cameil Peebles. She is also survived by her siblings, Dorothy (age 97), Helen (age 83), Rodney (age 80), and Cynthia (age 70).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Beulah Evans; a brother, Nathaniel and a sister, Carolyn.