Albert “Wayne” “Hot Rod” Sumner, 68, of Tifton passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. A eulogy will be given by Curly Rutland. Mr. Sumner will be laid to rest at Oakey Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Berrien County with the Rev. Tommy Dorman officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday, March 1, 2025, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Ashley Sutton, Mike Pierce, Mike Bennett, Don Hall, Bobby Blanchard and Bubba Blanchard will serve as pallbearers.
Born October 23, 1956, in Adel, Mr. Sumner was the son of the late Albert Alexander Sumner and Dovie Iris Griner Sumner. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Lethia Michelle Sumner.
Wayne was known as “Hot Rod” to all his friends. He was a retired truck driver and an excellent diesel mechanic. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. He loved to tinker with his hot rods and spend weekends at the dirt track in his younger years.
Mr. Sumner is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Tyler and Emily Sumner of Lenox; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sue and Danny Crumley of Eldorado and Jo Beth and Glenn Roberts of Hahira; three grandchildren, Ella Claire Sumner, Madelyn Horton and Callie Horton; one great grandchild, Hagan Rooks; and several nieces, nephews and friends.