Louise Summerford Obituary
Our beloved mother, Louise Tomlinson Summerford, age 93, went home peacefully to be with Jesus on August 25, 2023. Formally from Florence, SC, she lived in Lexington, SC prior to her death. She was born in Lynchburg, SC on November 30, 1929, a daughter of the late Ulrich Chester Tomlinson and Mary Tallon Tomlinson.
After graduation from Florence High School, she attended Peace College and Coker College. Louise was a devoted member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where she met many friends she would treasure throughout her life. There she enjoyed working with the MYF and taught Sunday School. She was keenly interested in and was a strong supporter of the Red Bird Missions. Louise was kind and generous to those she knew and to many she did not know. Her heart was compassionate for others and she always saw the good in everyone she encountered. She enjoyed serving those in need throughout the community and in her church.
She remained an active lover of learning on every topic imaginable throughout her life and could usually be found with a book in her hand. She enjoyed sewing pretty clothes for her children and grandchildren, working in her beautiful yard and spending time at the beach. She served on the Board of Directors of Tomlinson Stores, a company founded by her father.
Mrs. Summerford was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Major Summerford, Jr.; a son, Mex Summerford; a sister, Mary Virginia Cannon Moody; and two grandsons, Tallon Dorociak and Marshall Dorociak. She is survived by three children: Beth Summerford Frazier (Phil), Bryan Summerford (Libby), and Sara Summerford Hargett (Eddie); a sister, Sarah Dixson of Greenville, SC; and a brother, Rick Tomlinson of Beaufort, SC. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, a step-granddaughter, and a step-great-granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Florence with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607; or St. Paul United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 5446, Florence, SC 29502.