To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and time to pluck up that which is planted. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2(KJV)

Mr. Richard Alfred Sumner was called home on Friday, December 15, 2017, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Georgia. He was born on January 6, 1959, to the late Troy Sumner and Lucy McCall Harris in Baxley, Georgia. He was reared by his step-father, Albert L. Harris. He joined Mizpah Baptist Church at an early age. He attended the public schools of Appling County. After graduating high school in 1976 he joined the military and served honorably in the United States Army. He was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Mamie E. McIver Sumner on January 6, 1979. To this union two children were born, Tahjma and Eric. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Joyce Smith and Aggie Ellis.

He leaves to cherish his memory with his two devoted daughters: Tahjma (Carl) Simpson of Douglas, GA and Brandus (Aaron) Talbert of Canton, MI; loving son: Eric Sumner of Hazlehurst, GA; five brothers: Albert (Angela) Harris of Lithonia, GA, Demetrius Harris, Leslie (Gloria) Harris, Norris Gibbs Harris, all of Baxley, GA, and Mitchell Burk of Newnan, GA; three sisters: Barbara Sumner Harris of Norwalk, CT, Renee Whitehead of Rocky Mount, NC, and Shirley Alderman of Baxley, GA; two loving sisters-in-law: Betty J. Yarbrough of Macon, GA and Annie Pearl Smith of Brunswick, GA; two caring brothers-in-law: John (Shirley) McIver of Niles, OH and Bobby (Yvonne) McIver of Hazlehurst, GA; seven loving grandchildren: Karmyn Spaulding, Karlton Spaulding, Jr., Kamariya Spaulding, Aniya Coleman, Tyler Sumner, Kadence Jackson, and Zyhir Percy; devoted friend: Michael (Michelle) Green of Baxley, GA. He will also be missed by his host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.