Celebrating the life of
Sylvia Newton Summers
August 28, 1942 - October 09, 2025
Sylvia Newton Summers passed away at home on October 9, 2025. She was born on August 28, 1942, in Millen, Georgia, to Albert Sidney Newton and Edna Spell Newton. A native of Jenkins County, she graduated summa cum laude from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and earned a Master of Music in piano performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. There, she met Dr. Roland Steven Summers, her husband of 58 years. Prior to her marriage, she taught music at Salem Academy in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
She lived with elegance, grace, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. An avid student of floral design and advocate for civic beautification, she became a member of the Trustees Garden Club, where later she was awarded Emeritus status and served as a National Council Master Judge Emeritus for the Garden Club of America. Actively engaged in Savannah, she was a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames, the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Georgia Medical Society Auxiliary, the Savannah Symphony Women’s Guild, and the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also served as an alumnae representative to the Board of Directors of Wesleyan College. A faithful member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, she devoted many years of service and leadership as a member of the Vestry and President Emeritus of the Chancel Society.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Roland Steven Summers of Savannah; sister, Mrs. William Downey, III of St. Simons Island, and brother, Mr. John Cleve Newton of Millen; her daughters, Mrs. Douglas Reed Welch of Atlanta and Mrs. David Charles Patterson of Nashville; her sons, Roland Steven Summers, Jr. of Atlanta and Phillip Towle Summers of New York; two granddaughters, Kennon Virginia Summers and Merrill Hoath Summers of Atlanta; seven grandsons, Ralston Kennedy Welch, Cullen Reed Welch, McLain Newton Welch, and Bennett Lanier Welch of Atlanta, Fritz Schueller Moorman of Nashville, and Henry Bancel Summers and Hooper La Farge Summers of New York. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sarah Alexander Patterson Summers.
The funeral service will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at St. John's Episcopal Church. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the Green-Meldrim House. The burial will be held in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. John’s Church (Chancel Society), 1 West Macon Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401 or Trustees' Garden Club (c/o The Savannah Community Foundation), 2225 Norwood Avenue, Suite B, Savannah, Georgia 31406.
The family especially wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Deborah Edwards, Faith Condon, Audrey Warner, C.J. Daniel, and Candace Washington for their tireless and compassionate care.
Those who have shown us love, brought us joy, and made us laugh, have given us the lasting gifts of a beautiful life - and blessed our memories forever. My Sincere Sympathy.
- Michael Lunsford , Savannah, Georgia
Dr. Summers, Sidney, Steven, Lane, and Philip - we are truly sorry for your loss. Mills and Julia
- Julia Morrison, Savannah, GA
Dr. Summers. Vernon and I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of your wife. May she rest in peace.
- Vernon and Bonny Taylor, Savannah, GA
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Summers family! Mrs Sylvia was such a wonderful, loving and talented woman!
- Ernest and Kris Ledesma, Pooler, GA
Roland, we are so sorry for the loss of your dear wife. She was a beautiful, talented lady.
- Jim and Joyce McClellan , Savannah , GA
Dr Summers. I send my sincere condolences and certainly my prayers to you at the loss of your wife.
- Benjamin Rodney Poole, Jacksonville, Florida
My sincere sympathy to the entire family for your loss.
- Barbara Gay, Millen, Georgia
Roland, Sidney, Steven, Lane and Phillip, I am so sorry for your loss. My heartfelt Condolences to all you as you go through this difficult time.
- Anna B Highsmith, Savannah, GA
Roland, we sorry to hear the red. This tie of life is full of sorrow , but we can remember the good times. Asa & Sebbie
- Asa Davis, Savannah, Georgia
Sending heartfelt condolences to the entire Summers family on your loss, especially to friend and partner Phillip.
- Matt Lustig, New York, NY
My deepest condolences to the Summers family. You're in my thoughts and prayers. - Samantha Wright
- Samantha Jackson Wright (daughter of Cynthia Grayson), Baltimore, MD
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Funeral Service
- 12:00 p.m. on Sat, October 25, 2025
- St. John's Church
-
325 Bull Street (map)
Savannah Georgia 31401
- Reception
- 1:00 p.m. on Sat, October 25, 2025
- Green Meldrim House
-
(map)
- Burial
- 2:30 p.m. on Sat, October 25, 2025
- Greenwich Cemetery
-
330 Greenwich Road (map)
Savannah GA 31404 - 912-651-6843
