Ruby Faye Weller Summerhill's Obituary
Ruby Faye Weller Summerhill died at home on February 6, 2015 in Gainesville, FL at the age of 79 following a long battle with cancer.
Faye is survived by her husband, Dr. William (Bill) R. Summerhill Jr. of Gainesville, FL and her children Dr. William R. Summerhill III (Yolanda) of Fullerton, CA and Laura Summerhill-Coleman (Bearden) of Brooklyn, NY. She was devoted to her three grandchildren, William IV, Samuel and Konjit. She is also survived by her sister Mary Alice Duncan and brother William A. Weller of Louisville, KY, and nephews and nieces.
Faye was born in a log house adapted from a frontier fort on August 18, 1935 in Samuels, KY. Her parents were Emory C. Weller and Edith S. Weller. She was active in youth programs, including 4H. She graduated from My Old Kentucky Home High School in 1952 and was crowned Farm Bureau Queen for the state of Kentucky in the same year. She earned a BS in Home Economics at Western Kentucky University and a MS in Home Economics at University of Kentucky. She married Bill, the love of her life, in 1960. They were married 54 years.
She taught at My Old Kentucky Home High School, and was a substitute in the inner city schools of Chicago, Trigg Co. Kentucky, Christian Co. Kentucky and Wake Co. North Carolina school systems. After coming to Florida, she became involved with the University of Florida Agriculture Women’s Club where she served as President, member of the Executive Board and, for a number of years, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. She also served as President of the University of Florida Women’s Club, and participated in various club leadership activities. Her civic service included work with the Alachua Co. Board of Elections as the Clerk in charge of Voting Precinct 42. She was always involved in supporting her children’s schools and once they were grown, she continue to support childhood education by donating books to the WW Irby Elementary School Storybook Holiday Program.
She was very active in First Baptist Church, Gainesville, serving on numerous committees, including Deacon, Deacon Chair, Coordinator of the Hope Lodge ministry, Coordinator of the Interfaith Hospitality Program ministry, and was employed as Church Hostess. As a member of the overall coordinating committee, she was involved in giving leadership to the relocation of the church and the construction of the new building.
Faye loved Gator gymnastics and basketball and was a member of the Gator Tip Off Club. She enjoyed participating in the Scarlett O’Hatters chapter of The Red Hat Society. She loved travel and in retirement, she and Bill RVed throughout the U.S., including Alaska and parts of Western Canada. She enjoyed a vacation home in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She was an accomplished seamstress. She enjoyed antiquing. Faye will be remembered as a person committed to serving others.
A celebration of her life will be conducted Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 2 pm at First Baptist Church, 14105 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL. 32606. She will be buried in Hopkinsville, KY. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville, 32606, and New Salem Baptist Church, Coxs Creek, KY 40013.
What’s your fondest memory of Ruby Faye?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ruby Faye?
Share a story where Ruby Faye's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ruby Faye you’ll never forget.
How did Ruby Faye make you smile?