Elizabeth Summerford "Libby" Ross

Elizabeth "Libby" Summerford Ross, of Arlington, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2024, at Virginia Hospital Center, surrounded by her daughter and friends.
Libby was born in Greenville, Alabama, to Sherman and Lillie Summerford, the youngest of their four children. After school, Libby moved to Pensacola, Florida, where she met and married William H. "Bill" Ross Jr. (USMC) and began an exciting life as a military spouse to a highly decorated Marine test pilot, crisscrossing the country twice. Bill's military assignments took them to California, Hawaii, Florida, Maryland, Alabama, and Arizona, finally settling in Arlington, Virginia.
For more than 50 years, Libby was a Realtor® in Northern Virginia; the past 34 years spent at Long and Foster Real Estate. She was a life member of the Northern Virginia Board of Realtors® Top Producers Club and Million Dollar Sales Club. All her clients became fast friends drawn to her knowledge, professionalism, and kindness.
Active in too many community and civic affair groups to list, Libby served for many years on the boards of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, Arlington Community Foundation, the Arlington Historical Society (President), and The Chain Bridge Forrest Garden Club (co-founder),
Libby was blessed with a full, healthy, and happy life. She dined with everyone from movie stars to Congressmen. A gracious and avid hostess, she found great joy entertaining family and friends and was known to host a dinner party at a moment's notice. Libby's favorite holiday was Christmas, from festive decorations, attending holiday parties, sending beautiful Christmas cards, and hosting her annual Christmas day dinner with family and friends. She was known for her extraordinary coconut cake, but not for sharing the recipe.
Libby was strong in her faith and graciously gave of her time to her community. She was a member of McLean Baptist Church, where
for many years she taught Sunday School to preschoolers, middle schoolers, and adults.
Libby is survived by her daughter Beverly Jane Ross, her sister Shirley Summerford Burkett, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Sherman L. and Lillie Goodson Summerford; her husband, William H. "Bill" Ross; her sister, Janice Summerford Anderson; and brother, James E. Summerford.
A Celebration of Life will be held at McLean Baptist Church on Saturday, November 9th at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. Private interment services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
For those wishing to make a charitable donation in Libby's name, the family kindly suggests the Libby Ross Fund at the Arlington Community Foundation. https://bit.ly/libbyross