James Harvey Sumner

Pastor James Harvey Sumner entered the joy of his Lord through the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus Christ, on January 4, 2017 at 1:15 AM. Pastor Sumner was born to Harvey “Doc” and Vonda Abel-Sumner on June 14, 1938 in Tifton, Georgia. On June 8, 1957, he married Clarissa Parker of Gibsonton, Florida. He served in the United States Air Force from 1956-1960.
Upon graduation from Tennessee Temple Bible School, Pastor Sumner was ordained to the ministry by Providence Baptist Church of Riverview, Florida. In his 44 years of ministry, Pastor Sumner pastored Calvary Baptist Church of Mannington, West Virginia, Mount Pisgah Baptist Church of Athens, Alabama, First Baptist Church of Gibsonton, Florida, First Baptist Church of Vestal, New York, and Connor Heights Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Additionally, he planted Trinity Baptist Church of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and Victory Baptist Church of Thomaston, Connecticut. In his retirement, Pastor Sumner was a member of Ironbridge Baptist Church of Chester, Virginia. Pastor Sumner is survived by his wife, Clarissa Sumner, his sisters, Wanda (Dave) Burt, Tampa, Florida and Patricia (Rev. Malcolm) Clements of Gibsonton, Florida, and his brothers, Coy (Midge) Whittington of Atlanta, Georgia and Jimmy (Lynn) Sumner of Tifton, Georgia. Additionally, he is survived by his sons, Layne (Jana) Sumner, Warsaw, Indiana, Keith Sumner of Waldorf, Maryland, Marty Sumner of Bristol, Connecticut, and a daughter, Charissa Johnson of Chester, Virginia. His grandchildren, who called him “Grandy”, include Kaley (Adam) Poag, Dane Sumner, Alexandra Sumner, Amanda (Lucas) Cotter, Emily Sumner, Paige (Christian) Singer, Mason Sumner, and Marissa Cook. He is also blessed with 6 great grandchildren. Kullen Poag, Rhys Poag, Barrett Poag, Addison Cotter, Kingston Sumner, and Mattingly Singer.
The family will receive friends, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, January 8, 2017 at the Chester Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 9, 2017 at Virginia Veterans Cemetery 10300 Pridesville Rd. Amelia, VA., with Pastor Layne Sumner officiating. In lieu of flowers, please give a memorial gift to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org