Lula Sumner

Lula A. Sumner, 88, of  Redkey, Indiana, passed away at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2018, while in the company of family members, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center, Bluffton, Indiana.

Lula was born in Cornettsville, Kentucky, on June 28, 1929, a daughter of the late Cassie (Henson) and Kinny Birchwell. She was a 1988 Graduate of Jay County High School and was proud to have returned to school in her adult years and complete her education.

Lula was the wife of James Sumner who she happily married on March 2, 1963. She retired from Jay Garment in 1991, helped with Meals on Wheels and enjoyed reading, puzzles, traveling, quilting, embroidering, crocheting, driving, eating sweets, watching “Wheel of Fortune” and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Lula is survived by her husband James; four daughters, Elaine Lewis (husband: Delbert) of Liberty, Indiana, Gwendola Anderson (husband: Robert) of Redkey, Indiana, Betsy Craig (husband: Duane) of Hartford City, Indiana, and Carrie Hambrock (husband: Rick) of Portland, Indiana; one daughter-in-law, Paulette Wilson; one sister, Julia Brashear, of Viper, Kentucky; 16 grandchildren, Debra Angela Ballard, Warren Michael Lewis, Frank Boles, Jackie Bryan, James Blackburn, Susan Carter, David Wilson, Tammy Irelan, Ray Wilson, Bobby Willoughby, Beth Ann Linn, Brian Willoughby, Danny Craig, John Willoughby, Cassie Eldeeb and Mustafa Aly; 42 great-grandchildren, Cassandra Brubaker, Vanessa Ballard, Zachary Lewis, Taylor Lewis, Draya Boles, Mariah Boles, Larissa Boles, A.J. Bryan, Derek Bryan, Makayla Blackburn, Bryan Rust, Shelby Rust, Savana Carter, Skyler Carter, Hannah Wilson, Hunter Wilson, Brandon Irelan, Bryan Irelan, Olivia Wilson, Amber Wilson, Layliana Eldeeb, Juhlaya Eldeeb, Jett Hunt, Sydney Aly, Evan Willoughby, Eron Willoughby, Jason Linn, Zayne Mcmann, Vivian Linn, Cody Barnett, Gabriel Haynes, Kaylee Green, Tanner Smith, Keegan Smith, Savannah Willoughby, Natalia Willoughby, Amelia Skibinski, Mikalea Skibinski, Schuyler Craig, Courtney Willoughby, Brandon Willoughby and Brook Willoughby; and three great-great-grandchildren, Brooklynn Green, Abel Skirven and Zoey Skirven. Lula was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Arnold Junior Wilson and Paul Edward Sumner; and three brothers.

Call was held Sunday, April 22, 2018 at MJS Mortuaries – Redkey Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 23, 2018 at noon at MJS Mortuaries – Redkey Chapel with the Rev. Harold Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie, Indiana.