Barbara Summers Eulogy (by Ann Blake)

It’s spring.

A time of new life and rebirth for all of creation.

What an appropriate time of the year for our beloved mother to begin her new life, with her new body and for her deep faith in a loving God to all come to fruition. Her faith has become sight! Oh, how she longed for the day she would run to Jesus, and now she no longer has to imagine. Anyone who knew her for long surely witnessed her say “My bags are packed.” Similarly, she was known for encouraging everyone she ever met with the words, “Jesus loves you so much.”

Barbara Joan Summers was born (one of five children) in Allentown, PA on July 3, 1945. She graduated at Nazareth High School, attended the Sellersville Nursing School and then left for Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC for more nursing education. She and our dad (Paul Summers, Sr) met at their university and later married on December 16, 1966. They were married for almost 53 years when our dad passed away. The two of them went on to do many ministries together, including starting Awana at a couple of local larger churches, teaching Sunday school, singing together, having neighborhood Good News Clubs for children and then moving into our mother’s tract and Silent Missionary ministries.

She went from being a tomboy, raised on a farm in Pennsylvania to college, meeting the man of her dreams, falling in love with one wink (she says) and looking so elegant on her wedding day to nursing school, being a seamstress, getting permanently injured on the job and becoming disabled when her children were all still living at home, and yet her faith never ever waivered. In fact, her faith grew stronger and led her to writing touching published poetry and the beginnings of her Silent Missionary ministry (where she wrote a pamphlet of her own survival stories) and ministering to women and hurting people anywhere she went. Our mother loved being called “the tract lady” and took scripture literally, about going into all the world to preach the gospel. She practiced this daily in every nook and craney and corner of her world she visited and took that Bible verse to a whole other level. All who knew our mother could also see how her heart and deep unabiding love for Jesus shined bright every day, making her a devoted wife, mother and Nanny. These were all of her greatest joys.

She played the piano by ear and used her talents for the Lord, from the early years of her family devotions as a child until just a couple weeks before she passed away. Her love for teaching children Bible verses (especially her grandchildren, and even made memorizing scripture fun) was nothing short of amazing. She had a zest for life, with quirky jokes and a laughter that was contagious and unforgettable. Family gatherings and her church were her favorite places to be, as well as watching her Kansas City Chief’s games regularly. And her faithfulness to her Lord, especially going through nearly every minute of her end of life processes, was our little glimpse of glory. While sitting vigil with her every day of the last nine days of her life and until she could speak no more, she still told every single person that entered her room that Jesus loves them. She was still witnessing and still anxious for everyone to know our Lord. I personally watched in amazement, and it was evident that her love and fire for Jesus had a way of making us a little (or a lot) jealous for her in her journey to heaven. She most definitely lived her life to its fullest and never left anything undone.

And about three and a half years ago, our sweet mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Once again, her faith never wavered. She and our dad educated themselves on the disease and decided to wake up every day celebrating another day together, with a grateful heart. That was just how our mother lived.

So our precious mother left this earth on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 11:00am (appropriately at church time), into the most amazing worship service ever….and joined our dad for – I imagine – an incredibly sweet reunion. She is preceded in death by: her husband of 53 years, Paul Summers, Sr. her youngest sister, Bonnie Stahl and her parents, Paul and Anna Gehman

She is survived by: her older sister, Brenda Dawson, her younger sister, Sandra Loder and her younger brother, Richard Gehman.

Her three children in birth order: Ann Blake (and fiancée, Jim Eastin) Rachel Crowder (and spouse, Jim Crowder) Paul Summers, Jr., her six grandchildren in order of birth: Alyssa Blake,

Justin Crank, Preston Blake (and wife, Madi), Brittany Dye (and husband, Brian), Chelsea Crank and Benjamin Blake (and fiancée, Kaylee Ward)

Barbara’s bonus grands and great grands: Hank and Sarah Crowder and their two children Abby Crowder and her two children.

In lieu of flowers, Barbara and her children would appreciate Bibles being donated in her name to Cherry Street Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri.

Our mother simply and literally loved BIG and loved all people. She is leaving quite a legacy of a huge faith that we believe will trickle down for generations to come.

She is just precious to us all and was the best wife, mother and Nanny.

Mom, just know you are so deeply loved, and we celebrate you yesterday, today and always.