January 3, 2012

Funeral for the Rev. Arthur Paul Summerford, 66, of Hartselle will be Fri., Jan. 6, at 1 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel.

Visitation will be Thur., Jan. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery in Holly Pond.

The Rev. Summerford died Tues., Jan. 3, 2012, at Summerford Nursing Home. He was born Aug. 13, 1945, in Morgan County to Otto Summerford and Jewel Dobbs Summerford.

He was a graduate of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and was retired as a chaplain and minister at the Enrichment Center of Decatur. He also worked with special needs children at Sparkman School. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Summerford of Hartselle; two sons, Jeffrey Paul Summerford and wife Jaime of Hartselle and James Timothy Copeland and wife Lisa of Moulton; a daughter, Stephanie Jane Nelson and husband Tim of Arab; a brother, Don Summerford and wife Fran; a sister, Dell Chandler and husband Jim; six surviving grandchildren, Jaxen Paul Summerford, Jennifer Cravens, Jeremy Cravens, Jackie Cravens, Jason Cravens and Rebecca Laney; four great-grandchildren, Ben Laney, Coy Cravens, Allie Cravens and Gabrielle Cravens; and a host of nephews and nieces.