Ms. Leona Thomas Summers

Ms. Leona Thomas Summers was born on September 25, 1929, in Lake City, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Reverend Samuel B. and Mable Brockington Thomas. On Sunday, June 6, 2021, she transitioned to Heaven to be with the Lord for her eternal rest. Leona’s childhood was spent with her loving parents and seven siblings on a farm in Lake City, South Carolina. Her Christian values, strong work ethics, and other life skills were instilled as a child. She attended the Greater Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Lake City, SC. At her family’s church, she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior at an early age. She loved her church and she loved singing with the youth choir and attending Sunday School. Leona was educated in the Black public schools of Lake City, SC. She was studious and eager to learn. However, Leona was very ambitious. Like millions of African Americans, she wanted to move north for greater opportunities. With her parent’s blessings, she moved to Englewood, New Jersey in 1947. There she lived with her beloved Uncle Haskel and Aunt Hattie Thomas who further encouraged her to pursue and achieve her goals. She worked in the day and went to classes in the evening, and graduated from the Accredited Evening High School, Jersey City, NJ, in June 1950. Leona was a career focused woman long before it became in vogue. She initially pursued a career in nursing but later made a career change to business and industry. As a result, she was employed by the Bendix Corporation in 1957 initially starting out as a line worker-building airplane parts. This was truly remarkable, considering the small number of African American women working in the aeronautic industry at that time, however, Leona was not deterred but determined to succeed. The work was meticulous and detailed. In fact, each person had to place their name on each part to ensure accountability. She was masterful and received numerous promotions throughout her career. Though the corporation changed ownership multiple times, that did not impact Leona, because of her strong work ethic and attention to details. She retired from the Honeywell Corporation after 30 plus years in the aeronautic industry. Leona loved to travel the world. She and her close friends would make trips to Europe visiting such places as London, England, and on multiple cruises, she witnessed great glaciers of Alaska. She also enjoyed the sun soaked beaches of Jamaica and the Bahamas. But most of all, Leona was committed to her family and her church. She traveled back home to South Carolina during the Summer months. Her visits were magical for her nieces and nephews because she would tell them of her travels and encourage them to pursue high goals in life and be their best. However, she never sugar-coated the challenges of life but presented them with a clear-eyed focus and determination. On one occasion, two of her nieces visited her during the Summer, and Leona took them to the World’s Fair in New York City in 1965. It was a trip they never forgot. Leona was also committed to serving the Lord. She joined the Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1959, under the pastorate Reverend Blackman. She was very active in her church for over 50 years. She faithfully served in the following ministries: Vice President of the Stewardess Board, Progressive Club, Altar Guild, Women’s Home and Overseas Mission, Welcome Committee, Women’s Day Choir and the Culinary Committee, where she was known for her coconut and pound cakes. She was always ready to lend a helping hand in the activities of the church. She and Mr. Johnny Summers were united in Holy Matrimony in 1961. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by: her beloved parents, Reverend Samuel and Mable Thomas; siblings, A.W. Thomas, Lula Mae Sherrills, Samuel Thomas, Jr., Martha Thomas, and Carrie Manuel Wiley. Ms. Leona Thomas Summers leaves to mourn: her sister, Ruby L. Thomas, of Baltimore, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. God blessed Leona to have lived a long, fruitful life of 91 years and when it was time, He made the decision to add another flower to His beautiful garden and called her home. Her three favorite songs were: “Amazing Grace,” “Walk Around Heaven All Day,” and “It is Well with My Soul.”