Obituary of Martha Salling Summey

Martha Salling Summey, 86, of Mt Carmel, TN ascended to her heavenly home and had the grandest reunion of all on Friday, July 12, 2019 at Holston Valley Medical Center surrounded by her loving family and friends.

She was born in Wood, Virginia on Stacey’s Branch to the late Orbin P Salling and Maude Williams Salling. Mother worked alongside her siblings and parents on the family farm while attending Wood School. She was a member of Doran Addition Free Will Baptist Church and attended regularly until her health no longer allowed. She was diligent in reading her Bible every day and lived what she read. Mother witnessed GOD to many people and even to her doctors she reminded them who the great physician was. Mother ended each day on her knees in prayer.  Her greatest joy in life was having her family around her, whether it was a trip to Pigeon Forge or a family movie night. She was overjoyed in the midst of family. Mother also loved to garden, canning of garden goods, flowers, quilting and collecting Vera Bradley blankets. She lended a hand to care for family members when it was needed. Mother was selfless, kind, caring, and loving. She wanted you to eat if you visited and fed many strangers at her table.

In addition to her parents she was reunited with her husband, Kenneth “Gene” Summey and sisters, Nannie Davis, Verna Johnson, Georgia “Toots” Osborne, Edna Casteel, Lottie Williams and Beulah Salling; brothers, Reverend W. C. “Wrightly” Salling, Jay Salling, Reverend Lonas “Hawk” Salling, Sam Salling, and Clyde Salling. 

Left to cherish her memory are her loving children Durand Summey Doran, Rick E. Summey, Lisa A. Summey, Traci Starnes and husband Mike. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, Jason Doran, Kristen Sams and husband Chad, Kenny Summey and wife Cassie, Madison Starnes, Peyton Starnes and wife Sarah. Her great-grandchildren who were the flowers in her garden, Abbey Doran, Olivia Doran and Emily Peters. Sister, Eula Salling and brother, Reverend L.W. “Red” Salling and wife Sylvia, sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Summey Lane and brother-in-law, Mack Summey and wife Janice. Along with many nieces and nephews and a host of friends of whom she loved dearly. 

The family will receive friends, ‪Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at Scott County Funeral Home ‪from 5 to 7PM. A celebration of mother’s life will follow ‪at 7 PM in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jerry Stout and Pastor Jon Rogers. Music will be provided by Kevin Stacey and selected music chosen by her family. A special eulogy will be given by David Watkins, her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 

A graveside service will be held at Holston View Cemetery ‪on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 ‪at 1 PM with Rick E Summey, Kenny Summey, Peyton Starnes, Mike Starnes, Chad Sams, Chad Gillenwater, Sam Salling and Ray Johnson serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Doran, David Watkins, Gene Doran, Clifford Starnes, Sam Newland, and Billy Salling. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home by 12:15pm to go in procession.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to David and Debbie Watkins, Eula Salling, Jason Doran, and the Holston Valley ER Nurses and Doctors and ICU Staff for their outstanding medical care and loving support that was shown to our family. 

Scott County Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Martha Summey.