Betty M. Summers

Betty Mae Summers of Bonita Springs, Florida entered her heavenly home on Monday, Dec. 7th, 2020. She was born August 26th, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Nellie Freeman.
Betty’s parents moved to Mahan, West Virginia where her father worked in her family’s coal mine. She graduated as Valedictorian of her Mahan high school class and then moved to Anderson, Indiana to attend Bible College. She also served two summer internships in Big Rapids, Michigan serving in home missions work. While Betty was in Anderson at Bible College, she met her future husband, Rev. John K. Summers. They married on June 8th, 1951 at Lapel Methodist Church and soon after began a life of ministry, first serving 43 years at Ovid Community Church in Anderson, Indiana, another 10 years at Albany Christian Church in Albany, Indiana and then several more years at Covenant Presbyterian in Naples, Florida.
Betty’s passion was children’s ministry, beginning her service in a small Krebs, West Virginia church. Her love of working with children continued throughout her Bible College years and into her ministry at Ovid Community Church and Albany Christian Church. At Ovid, Betty taught children’s Sunday School, organized a Junior Church and was instrumental in forming the women’s Mary Martha Circle. John K. and Betty moved to Florida in 2004, taking the position of Visitation Pastors’ at Covenant Presbyterian where they ministered weekly to hundreds of nursing home patients. John K. and Betty were also instrumental in building the Covenant Presbyterian children’s ministry program. She leaves behind a lifetime of service to Christ and the Church.
Betty will forever be remembered as a Pastor’s wife and for her faithfulness in ministry. She was a devoted and loving companion during her 69 years of marriage. One of her greatest joys was faithfully caring for her youngest child, Paul, born with Cerebral Palsy.
She is survived by her husband, Rev. John K. Summers of Bonita Springs, Florida; son, Paul of Bonita Springs, Florida; daughter, Cindy (Tom) Stuart of Fishers, Indiana; grandson, Chris (Jennifer) Hastings of Mesa, Arizona; granddaughter, Christeen (David) Hershey of Fishers, Indiana; sister, Marion McCray of Atlanta, Georgia; and sister-in-law, Nancy (Don) Semon of Anderson, Indiana. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews, and friends too numerous to mention.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Kent Summers; and her brother, Philip Freeman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Place of Hope Haitian Ministry, PMB 125, PO Box 413005, Naples, Florida 34101. (https://placeofhopeinhaiti.org/).
A Celebration of Life service will be held in Naples, Florida.