Bennie Ray Sumner, Jr., known as Benjie, went home to be with his Savior on April 2, 2011, after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2011, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Rev. William Arnold will officiate with burial to follow in Tift Memorial Gardens. Joshua Sumner, Jamie Mills, Calvin White, Steve Thomas, Alto Hutto and Leon Tucker will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 3, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Sumner, 47, was born on April 20, 1963 in Tift County and attended Tifton Schools, graduating from Tift County High School in 1982. He was retired from PCC Air Foils in Douglas as production manager and was a member of Southview Church of God in Douglas. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, collected guns and enjoyed Nascar Racing. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed grilling for his family and spending time with his bulldog, Jack.
He was the son of Bennie Ray Sumner, Sr. and Barbara Yancey Sumner of Tifton. Other survivors include his son, Jacob Sumner and his fiance’, Becky Salceda of Raleigh, North Carolina; his daughter, Heather Heisler of Savannah; and the mother of his son and devoted caretaker, Lynette Smith Sumner of Tifton. Surviving siblings include his brother, Brian Sumner of Tifton and sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Ken Gailey of Pelham, Alabama. He is also survived by his nephews, Joshua Sumner and Jeremy Sumner and nieces, Brianna Sumner, Allison Gailey and Kaitlyn Gailey.
Family and special friends will gather at the Social Hall of Vanceville Congregational Church directly after the service for light refreshments. Floral offerings will be welcomed or memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 6852 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, FL 32216-6241 or the American Cancer Society, 323 Pine Avenue, Albany, GA 31701.