Betty Jean Ray Summerlin, 86, of Nashville died Monday August 24, 2020 at her residence.

She was born June 18, 1934 in Berrien County to the late Arlie Bige Ray and the late Essie Mae Rogers Ray.  She was retired from the Berrien County Board of Education and worked at the Primary School on Dogwood Drive. She was a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Tifton and enjoyed visiting Omega Church of God. She was a loving wife, mother, Granny and a fantastic cook. In the summer of 1952, Betty met the love of her life, William Gordon "Bill" Summerlin, while working together in the tobacco patch. They were married on August 23, 1952 and were married 65 years until his death in 2017. She was preceded in death by a sister: Virginia Dales; five brothers: Jimmy, Virgil, William, Clayton and Eddie Ray; three great granddaughters: Alissa Luke, Breanna Luke and Nora Holt.

Survivors include three daughters: Jane (Richard) Creamer of Ray City, Mary (Donnie) Keeffe of Lakeland and Bernice (Travis) Brown of Nashville; eight grandchildren: Deen Creamer of Ray City, Adam (Amanda) Creamer of Ray City, Michael (Mattie) Luke of Ray City, Jesse (Lynn) Luke of Nashville, Robert (Brandy) Keeffe of South Berwick, Maine, James Keeffe of Homerville, Brittany (Scott) Holt of Lexington, SC and James Travis Brown of Nashville; twenty great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren and one on the way; sisters-in-law: Liz Ray of Hilliard, FL, Joyce Ray of Hilliard, FL, Martha James of Jacksonville, FL, Annette Summerlin of Jacksonville, FL, Linda Summerlin of Leesburg, FL and Sybil Summerlin of Moultrie; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and special friends: Buie & Belinda Griner that she loved very much.  Many thanks to the loving, caring staff of Southwell Primary Care; Bethany Hospice: Robert, Cindy, Jan, Lisa, Kathy, Carmen, Antionette, Pam and Chaplain Mike Harper; Caremasters Diversified: Jennifer Cribb and caretaker: Bertha Perez: Georgia Home Health: Janet, Selina, Julie and Dogwood Pharmacy.

Funeral services will be held Thursday August 27, 2020 at 11 AM in the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with the Rev. Ricky Wells officiating.  Visitation is one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow in Nashville Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Bethany Hospice or charity of choice.