Margaret Ann Busch Sumner, 100, of Tifton passed away Thursday, March 3, 2016, at her residence. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 7, 2016, at Our Divine Savior Catholic Church in Tifton with Father Justin Ferguson and Deacon J. Brian Bergeron officiating. Mrs. Sumner will be laid to rest at Tift Memorial Gardens. A rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2016, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals, followed by a reception of friends until 8:00 p.m.
Danny Ross, Bill McDaniel, Ken Martin, Joe Sumner, Jr., Michael Sumner Jr., Robert Sumner, Jeff Sumner and Mark Little will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer will be Danny Bailey.
Born December 1, 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Sumner was the daughter of the late Paul Busch and Florence Daley Busch. She was also preceded in death by her husband, George Sumner, Sr.; two grandsons, Michael Sumner Sr. and Michael Dawes; a great-granddaughter, Madison Sumner; and a sister, Florence Maines. She was a homemaker and former bookkeeper for Sumner Construction Company. She was a charter member of Our Divine Savior Catholic Church in Tifton and faithfully attended and supported church activities and services. She worked with orphans in the Diocese in Savannah and stayed in touch with many through the years, especially Paulette and Anna, who helped her celebrate her 100th birthday. She organized the first Girl Scout troop in Tift County and took many Girl Scout troops to the New Mexico Jamboree in New Mexico. Later in life, she enjoyed painting.
Mrs. Sumner is survived by four sons, Paul W. and Sandra R. Sumner of Lenox, Joe T. Sumner, Sr. of Moultrie, George Sumner Jr. and his fiancé, Deborah Harwell of Tifton and Phil Sumner and his fiancé, Patti Pack of Tifton; two daughters, Ilene S. O’Hara of Tampa, Florida and Anita and Kevin Lee of Lexington, North Carolina; and her grandchildren, Michael Sumner, Mark Little and wife Ann, Rhett Sumner and wife Lolly, Syndi Hanna and husband Scott, Joe Sumner Jr. and wife Stephanie, Robert Sumner, Michelle Sumner, Jeff Sumner and wife Dana, Karen Kinard and husband Paul, Wendy Hancock and husband, Jamie, Trellise R. O’Hara, Ryan S. O’Hara, Brendan L. O’Hara, Alexis Foster, Christina Foster, Conrad Foster, Paul S. Sumner and Leigh Little; her great grandchildren, Tyler Sumner, Michael Sumner Jr. and fiancé Hannah, Lane Sumner, Cayden Sumner, Kennadi Sumner, Samantha Sumner and Sydney Sumner; and great-great grandchildren, Mason Sumner, Katelyn Hancock, Halle Kinard and Landon Kinard.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Mrs. Sumner’s caregiver, Ruth Roberts, for her loving care of Mrs. Sumner.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Our Divine Savior Catholic Church, P. O. Box 212, Tifton, GA 31793.