Margaret Elizabeth Summers
Margaret Elizabeth Summers passed away March 25, 2026, after a lengthy hospital stay at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.
She was born Nov. 6, 1940, in Baltimore to Margaret and Frederick Smith. Margaret was the seventh of 12 children. At 16, she married the love of her life, Carl Summers. After their marriage, they moved to Carl’s hometown of Clinton, where they raised their family on a 53-acre farm.
Although she always said Carl could “take the girl out of the city, but not the city out of the girl,” she excelled as a farmer’s wife, working tobacco, tending gardens and canning. At the end of a hard day on the farm, she always had a delicious hearty country meal ready for Carl and their hungry boys. Margaret and Carl were married for 49 years before his death at age 67.
Margaret worked for 23 years with Carl at their family business, Summers Monument Company. Over the years, she had many hobbies including reading, growing beautiful flowers, macrame, crocheting, quilting, ceramics and collecting dolls. She also loved watching classic movies and British mysteries. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her only grandchild.
Margaret and Carl were members of Clinch River Baptist Church for many years. In 1978, they moved their membership to Laurel Branch Baptist Church, where they enjoyed worshipping and spending time with their many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Summers.
She is survived by her sons, Bryan Summers of Clinton and James Summers (Robin) of Oak Ridge; grandson, Brad Summers (Julianne) of Decatur, Georgia; the newest love of her life has been her almost 5-year-old great-granddaughter, Madeline Summers of Decatur, Georgia; brother, Bobby Smith of Maryland; sister, Joyce Sawyer of Maryland; adopted son, David Crenshaw of Lawrenceville, Georgia; adopted granddaughter, Eternity Perry of Knoxville; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
The family would like to thank the staff of Methodist Medical Center for their expertise and loving care. There are too many to mention. Special appreciation goes to the ICU staff; Third Floor West staff, who cared for her for more than three weeks; ICVU staff; Fifth Floor West staff; Fourth Floor West staff; the palliative care team; hospice staff, who kept her comfortable; the many doctors who worked hard to help her fight her fight; caseworkers; social workers; and housekeeping staff. Every single person made a hard experience easier. The family felt the love and care, not only given to Margaret, but to us as well. We will be forever grateful.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 3, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton, with the funeral to follow. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at Grandview Memorial Garden.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
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