Charles Darrell Summers, 67, of Branford, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Lake City Medical Center in Lake City. He was born and raised in Lake City and had been a longtime resident of Branford. Summers was a graduate of Columbia High School class of 1972 and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Branford Ward. He was passionate about his work as a hunting guide with Chinquapin Farms in Branford for over 40 years. Summers served many years as President of the Suwannee River Riding Club in Branford. He was an advocate for rodeoing and enjoyed barrel racing with his daughters, granddaughter and many youth through the years. Summers loved life itself, but more than that, he loved spending time with his family and friends. Summers was preceded in death by his father, Charles Leslie Summers and one brother, Brett Summers.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Jonita Hamlin Summers of Branford; his mother, Patsy Bagley Summers of Lake City; his two daughters, Jessica Lea Summers (Tim McGraw) of Lake City and Jennifer Lynn Summers Charles (Thorne) of Branford; his brother, Darren Summers (Pam) of Lake City; five sisters, Patti Brown (Sonny) of Worthington Springs, Denise Stewart (Larry) of Branford, Dorinda Akers (Russell) of Old Town, Sonya Anderson (Joey) of Old Town and Tonya Byrd (Dale) of Branford; and three grandchildren, Reagan McGraw, Trenton Charles and Janya Charles. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Graveside funeral services for Summers will be conducted on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Union County. Interment will follow. A walk through visitation for the community will be held on Friday evening, Aug. 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and will also be available via Facebook Live by visiting Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home on Facebook. For family and friends attending the services, social distancing is requested for the safety of everyone. A celebration of life for Summers will be announced at a later date at the Rodeo Arena in Branford. Arrangements are under the direction of Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral home, located at 3596 US Hwy 441, in Lake City. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.