Jesse Wilson Sumner

JESSE W. SUMNER, 86, PASSED AWAY DECEMBER 22, 2008.
HE WAS BORN JULY 15, 1922 IN NORTHHAMPTON COUNTY, NC. HE WAS THE SON OF THE LATE WILEY AND ROSA NELSON SUMNER. JESSE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS SISTER, REA FUTRELL, HIS BROTHER, WINIFRED.
HE GRADUATED FROM CONWAY HIGH SCHOOL 1939 AND WAS A GRADUATE OF NC STATE COLLEGE IN 1943. HE THEN SERVED AS A NAVAL OFFICER IN WW II IN THE PACIFIC FLEET. FOLLOWING MILITARY SERVICE HE WAS THE ASSISTANT COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT AND 4H CLUB LEADER IN MARTIN COUNTY. HE SERVED AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE COASTAL PLAIN RESEARCH STATION IN WALLACE, THE HORTICULTURAL CROPS RESEARCH STATION IN CLINTON, AND UPPER COASTAL PLAIN RESEARCH STATION IN ROCKY MOUNT WHERE HE RETIRED IN 1984. HE WAS A MEMBER OF WALLACE MASONIC LODGE, A MEMBER OF THE ROCKY MOUNT LIONS CLUB AND SEVERAL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. FOR MANY YEARS HE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ENGLEWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF ROCKY MOUNT. HE HAS HELD NUMEROUS OFFICES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH AND DISTRICT.
HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE OF 60 YEARS, HELEN JONES SUMNER OF THE HOME; DAUGHTER, ROSE SUMNER AYERS AND HUSBAND, KEN OF OWENSBORO, KY; SON, WAYNE L. SUMNER AND WIFE, KAREN OF BOONE; SISTER, DORIS ASKEW OF AHOSKIE; FIVE GRANDCHILDRENM STEPHANIE AYERS, DAVID AYERS, DANIEL AYERS, JESSICA SUMNER BARRETT AND DANIELLE SUMNER WADE.
FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD 1PM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008 AT ENGLEWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. VISITATION WILL FOLLOW THE SERVICE AT THE CHURCH. INTERMENT WITH BE AT ROCKY MOUNT MEMORIAL PARK AFTER THE VISITATION.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS MAY BE MADE TO ENGLEWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, PO BOX 7128, ROCKY MOUNT, NC 27804.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED TO JOHNSON FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS, 661 ENGLISH ROAD, ROCKY MOUNT, NC 27804.
ONLINE CONDOLENCES MAY BE MADE TO THE FAMILY AT WWW.JOHNSONFUNERALSANDCREMATIONS.COM