Frances Ellis Summers, age 85 of Demorest formerly of Cornelia, Georgia went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2020.
Born on August 7, 1934, in Atlanta, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Kathleen Lanford Cochran & Tom Reid Ellis. Frances graduated from Brown High School in Atlanta, Georgia in 1952. She was active in numerous sports, particularly basketball and tennis. After high school, she worked for Radio Corporation of America (RCA) as secretary to various department heads.
In 1953, Frances met her would-be husband, Jack, while he was home on leave from the Air Force. After a brief, formal courtship, the two were married in July 1954. They resided on the 463rd Airlift base in Ardmore, OK where Frances worked as secretary to the Comptroller, until Jack’s discharge in December 1955. Upon returning to Georgia, Frances worked for Public Housing while Jack attended Georgia State University on the GI bill. Once they began their family, Frances was a full-time homemaker, wife, and mother. Upon her husband receiving a call to ministry and graduating with a Master’s of Divinity Degree in 1967, they faithfully served 8 churches in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Upon their retiring from active ministry, Frances and Jack served a minister and wife to Chattahoochee United Methodist in Helen, GA for the final seventeen years of their total 59 years of ministry. Frances served many capacities throughout these years as a Sunday school teacher for children and adults, leader of United Methodist Women’s group, and loved her church family deeply. She was a die-hard sports fan, an avid reader, and lover of people.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Rev. Jack Earl Summers; & step-father, Rush Cochran.
Survivors include her daughter & son-in-law, Sharon Summers Petitt & Greg Petitt of Cleveland, GA; sons & daughters-in-law, Mark Ellis Summers & Connie Summers of Athens, GA; Paul Wesley Summers & Julie Summers; Andrew Reid Summers & Debbie Summers, all of Barnesville, GA; brother & sister-in-law, William Byron “Buddy” Cochran & Sylvia Cochran of Ellijay, GA; 8 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 niece; 1 nephew; other relatives & friends.
Flowers are accepted or the family requests that all donations be made to Chattahoochee United Methodist Church, Building Fund, c/o Sam Sutton – Treasurer, P.O. Box 994, Helen, GA. 30545
In consideration of public health & safety, a private graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020, at Level Grove Cemetery with Rev. Wayne Wilkes officiating.
An online guest registry is available at www.HillsideMemorialChapel.com
Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville, Georgia. (706) 754-6256
