Barbara Ann Sumner

Barbara Ann Pearson Sumner, born on June 24, 1937, in Tifton, Georgia, passed away peacefully at her residence in Enigma, Georgia, on June 4, 2025, at the age of 87. A cherished member of her community and a devoted homemaker, Barbara’s life was a beautiful testament to love and dedication to family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 7, 2025 in the chapel of Albritton Funeral Directors with Rev. Mark Stone officiating. Interment will follow at Oakridge Cemetery. The family will receive family and friends from 9:30 to 10:30 at the funeral home before the service.

Greg Stone, Patrick Stone, Don Pearson, Jr., Mike Pearson, Jeff Parson and Reggie Lott, Jr., will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Kathy Crumley, Melba Metts, Ann Railey and Edna McMillan who are known as The Birthday Girls.

Barbara was married to her beloved husband, Bobby Thomas Sumner, for sixty-one years until his passing on February 16, 2021. Together, they built a life filled with love and warmth, and their enduring partnership was an inspiration to all who knew them. She was also preceded in death by her father, Clyde Wilbur Pearson, her mother, Carrie Smith Pearson, her brother, Wendell Ray Pearson and her brother-in-law, James D. Hardy.

She is survived by her daughter, Liz and son-in-law, Greg Stone of Tifton; her grandchildren, Eric Stone, Thomas Patrick Stone, Katie Stone Fogarty, and her husband Cody; her great-grandchild, Arabella James “A.J." Fogarty; her brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Linda Pearson; her sister, Linda Hardy; and her sister-in-law, Evelyn Warren Pearson.

Throughout her life, Barbara created countless joyous memories with her friends, affectionately known as "The Birthday Girls." She enjoyed expressing her love of music, playing the piano daily at home and she played the piano at her church for many years, and took immense pride in her home, spending many hours working in her yards and keeping her house tidy. Cooking for her family brought her great joy, and she found peace while relaxing on her porch swing or rocker. The Christmas season held a special place in her heart; she delighted in decorating and participating in Christmas Eve services, always presenting a special ornament to her nieces as a token of her love.

An avid fan of westerns, Barbara particularly enjoyed watching "Tombstone." Her faith was also a significant aspect of her life, as she was a member of the Enigma Congregational Christian Church, further enriching her sense of community and belonging.

As we grieve and remember her, we are also focusing on the ways she inspired us to live with love, kindness and courage. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughtful support during this difficult time.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.