Michael Sumner

SUMNER, Michael Ernest

February 12, 1958 -

February 22, 2025

Michael Ernest Sumner died unexpectedly, yet peacefully, working in his yard on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Mike was born at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee on February 12, 1958, to Ernest L. Sumner and Majorie Meadows Sumner. The Sumner family moved to Decatur, Georgia in 1959. Mike graduated from Lakeside High School in 1976, the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia in 1980, and the University of Georgia Lumpkin School of Law in 1984. Mike was a member of Kappa Apha Order and was later inducted into KA Hardeman Province Court of Honor and Gridiron. Mike interned with U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge while in college where he first met his wife-to-be, Leah Fallin, playing softball on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. After completing college and spending a year on the ski slopes in Aspen, Colorado, he entered law school where he began dating Leah. They were married in 1985. Mike began a successful legal career in Newnan at Glover and Davis. In the early 1990s, he worked with Parker, Hudson, Rainer, and Dobbs in Atlanta before returning to open his own practice in Newnan in 1996 which continues today as Sumner Meeker, LLC.

Mike was passionate about his family, his church, and his community. Mike and Leah have made Newnan home for forty years. They have three boys, Brady, Stuart, and Thomas, who graduated from Newnan High School and received their degrees from either the University of Virginia, the University of Georgia, or both. In 1990, Mike and Leah, in what would be the first of many projects they tackled together, purchased and restored "Buena Vista", one of Newnan's historical homes on LaGrange Street. Buena Vista continues to be the Sumner's family home with open doors, having hosted countless gatherings of family and friends over the last 35 years. Mike was an active member of Central Baptist Church where he and Leah taught the Connections Sunday School Class. Mike sang in a gospel quartet and the chancel choir, attended the weekly Men's Bible Study, and served as a deacon over five decades. In 1994, Mike was elected as an at-large member of the Coweta County Board of Education where he served for sixteen years, five years as Board Chair. As a school board member, he was instrumental in the founding of the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, developing the Central Educational Center as Georgia's first technical charter high school, and implementing Coweta County's senior tax exemption. Mike was a committed supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, leading numerous scout adventures and was the proud father of three Eagle Scouts. He was a past president of Newnan Rotary Club, Newnan Coweta Cancer Society, and Newnan Coweta Heart Association.

Mike loved traveling, snow skiing, and golf. His favorite family vacations were to the Rocky Mountains, the Greenbriar, and Europe. He insisted his entire family learn to snow ski and to play cards, backgammon, and golf. Mike especially enjoyed playing poker, learning the game from his great Uncle Ed and his father. In recent years, the Sumner family enjoyed a second home on Amelia Island where golfing, walking on the beach, sunset cocktails, and grilling on the patio were a welcome respite from the law practice. Mike was an avid fan of Georgia football, Virginia basketball, and was passionate about the Atlanta Braves whether in person, on TV, or his favorite, listening on the radio. Although Mike took pride in knowing the personalities, statistics, and intricacies of these teams, his family always kidded him when in 2016, upon seeing a Braves employee in a stadium elevator, Mike introduced himself and said, "You look familiar," to which Brian Snitker humbly introduced himself as the new Braves manager.

For the past 19 months, Mike loved spending time with his granddaughter, Mary Frances, reading books, playing the piano, sharing animated "conversations" over dinner, splashing in the Atlantic Ocean, and most of all, being her "Pop." Mike enjoyed life, his family, and his friends.

Mike is survived by his wife, Leah, of 39 years; his sons, Ernest Brady Sumner (Margaret), Stuart Fallin Sumner, and Thomas Meadows Sumner (Kate); his granddaughter, Mary Frances Sumner; his sister, Melinda Barger; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A service honoring Mike's life will be held at Central Baptist Church in Newnan on Wednesday, February 26, at 1:00 PM, with the Reverend Matt Sapp and Dr. Joel Richardson, officiating. Visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family will have a private burial. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Central Baptist Church Building Endowment Fund or the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts in Newnan.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.mckoon.com.

McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580.