In Honor of Patricia “Patsy” Sumerford

Patricia “Patsy” Davis Sumerford went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 31, 2026 while being treated for Alzheimer’s. She was born in Greenville, South Carolina on August 30,1939.

While in high school in Americus, Georgia, she met Harold Sumerford, Sr. who often arrived for their dates in his Willys Jeep, sometimes with his younger brother, Rees. After dating for many years, they married in 1959 while Harold was attending Georgia Tech. She was a great encourager to Harold to complete his degree from Georgia Tech and worked to help with their finances. She later accompanied Harold and their children to Georgia Tech football and basketball games with Harold requiring they not leave until the games were completed.

While she loved her parents and sister, Mary Frances, she adapted to Harold’s very large family with his parents and six siblings. Her Mother-in-law loved and embraced Patsy, and she loved her Mother-in-law. She was also loved by Harold’s Andrews Grandparents with Patsy being the first Grandchild by marriage.  

Patsy instilled in her four children, nine Grandchildren, and six Great Grandchildren a love of life-long learning, reading, music, needlepointing, baking, participating in sports, proper etiquette, and conversing about current events. Patsy’s Mother-in-law taught her to needlepoint, and Patsy became proficient. She made beautiful large Christmas stockings along with other items for everyone in her family that are treasured by all. Her work was published in Southern Living magazine. She learned to play the piano at the age of three and learned to play classical music by reading sheet music. She played other music by ear and enjoyed playing for family. Americus High School had her play “When the Saints Go Marching In” during the procession at the weekly convocation. 

She enjoyed playing golf, tennis, snow skiing, walking, story-telling, and traveling with her family. Patsy had a zest for life and wanted everyone else to have it, too. When she was excited about something she wanted everyone else to have it. She always offered the opportunity to talk if anyone ever needed.

Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Sumerford, Sr., her parents George and Virginia Davis, her sister Mary Frances Stone, her sisters-in-law Nancy Phelan and Sarah Ricketson, brothers-in-law Sonny Sumerford, Guy York, and Bob Ricketson.

Patsy is survived by her four children Harold Sumerford, Jr. (Shannon), Julie Sumerford Dramis (Francis), Gene Sumerford, and Peter Sumerford (Dawn), Grandchildren Brandi Dasher (Charles), Leslie Davis (Tim), Ashley Holahan (Drew), Connor Carlock, Karleigh Bonno (Andres), Lindy Sumerford, Kenley Irwin, George Sumerford, and Sam Faulkner), Great Grandchildren (Trent Davis, Olivia Dasher, Sarah Dasher, Avery Holahan, Collier Holahan, and Chloe Davis), brothers and sisters-in-law (Ginger York, Rees, Sumerford, Brooke Sumerford, and Bill Phelan), and many beloved nieces and nephews.  

The family will have a private service at a future date.   

In lieu of flowers, please consider a Memorial contribution to Alzheimer’s Association. A notation should be made in honor of Patricia “Patsy” Sumerford. You can access her unique tribute page here: https://events.alz.org/fundraisers/juliesumerford/in-honor-of-patricia----patsy----sumerford.