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Rev. Dr. LeRoy "Roy" Summerfield, 90, of Morganton, NC, passed away peacefully, Saturday, October 7, 2023. He was born in Akron, Ohio on January 20, 1933. He was son of the late LeRoy Mortimer Summerfield and Emily Matilda Simmons Summerfield. Also preceded him in death was his sister, Dorothy Madden and brother, John Summerfield and nephew, Kenny Madden.
Roy was a retired Priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina and attended Grace Episcopal Church.
He graduated from Garfield High School in Akron, 1956; Graduated from Bob Jones University, 1956; New Orleans Theological Seminary with Master of Divinity in 1962; Allentown State Hospital in Pennsylvania-15 month internship and certification as a Mental Health Chaplain. Moved to Morganton, NC in 1967 as Chaplain at Broughton Hospital.
Roy became active in community activities in the 1970's. He was a member of the Burke Co. Kiwanis where he served as president - Burke Co. Ministerial Association as treasurer; Burke Co. Heart Association where he was named president and later served as Heart Sunday chairman.
In 1981 he resigned from Broughton Hospital and moved to NY state and served 2 Psychiatric Hospitals.
Retired in 1995 and moved back to Burke County. While in New York he studied at the New York Theological Seminary and received a Doctor of Ministry in 1989.
He had been a member of the Elks for over 60 years and held several offices - Exalted Ruler 2000- 2002 as well as Chaplain. He also was a member of the Masons for over 60 years.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan Patten Summerfield; children, Elisa Renee Summerfield-Kiehna (Jim), Brent Summerfield (Vashti) and Sonya Summerfield (Angel Badillo); and granddaughter, Olivia Summerfield.
A celebration of Roy's will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Grace Episcopal Church with the Rev. Dr. Marshall Jolly officiating. The family will greet friends in the Parish Hall following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Episcopal Endowment Fund, Grace Episcopal Church Women. Address for both is 303 South King Street, Morganton, NC. or Muscular Degeneration Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871.
Sossaman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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Leave a tribute for Rev. Dr. LeRoy “Roy” Summerfield.
Fr, Roy Summerfield, his wife, and chilcren were active members of Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church in KENT, CONNECTICUT, while Roy served as Chaplain at two Psychiatric Hospitals in nearby New York State. The family, as members of the church, were active in parish life. Their daughter was married here. Roy was active in the choir and also, served as a supply priest in Connecticut. My (late) mother (Thelma Barton) was a good friend of Joan, having first met at a parish pot-luck dinner. We were just discussing the set of 37 bells that Fr. Summerfield arranged to be transferred from the Psycchiatric Hospital to our parish, as we are hoping to have a bell choir play them for Easter 2024. Looking up Rev, Dr. Summefield after this discussion, I was sad to see he died just this past October. My condolences to Joan and the family. -- Most sincerely, JOHN BARTON
It was always a great joy to be around Uncle Roy. He had a laid-back attitude and easy laugh that made everything seem just right. He shared a bit of the Summerfield 'glitch', off just enough to make him unique and interesting and creative yet well-grounded to raise a great family along with his most beautiful bride with the greatest accent on the planet, a true Southern Belle. A thoughtful man dedicated to helping others and creating a better world around him. Definitely a life well-lived. Condolences to Aunt Joan, Elisa, Brent, Sonya, and family.
Enter thou, our brother, into that kingdom prepared for you from the foundations of the world...that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. Catawba Valley Masonic Lodge #217 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
The Grace Ridge Retirement Community sends our sincere condolences to Mr. Summerfield's family. We were blessed to have Mr. Summerfield as a member of the Grace Ridge family and he will always be remembered. Our prayers are with you.
Sending healing prayers and comforting i’m so sorry for your loss. Our family will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so very sorry for your loss, Elisa. You and your family will be in my prayers.