Jimmie Lee Summerall, age 79 of Gainesville, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. JL was the eldest child born to Hazel and Woodrow Summerall in Ft. Myers, FL on July 25, 1938. He was raised by his family in Key West. They were commercial fishermen by trade. He worked in the tile business from a young age and starting contracting construction jobs. Moving his family to North Florida he was the founding owner and operator of Summerall & Son Tile Company, which eventually grew into the successful tile business, Tile Craft, located in Gainesville and operated for more than 20 years.
He was a life-long avid fisherman. After serving in the Army he met and married the love of his life, Betty Elizabeth. They relocated to NCF and eventually settled in Gainesville in 1974. He and Betty were avid gardeners and enjoyed putting up fresh vegetables and blueberries to share with family and friends. After retiring, he used his tile craft skills to create personalized works of art for himself and his family members.
Jimmie was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel, and his beloved wife of 50 years, Betty.
He is survived by his sister, Joyce Lanier of Williston, FL; his 3 step-children: Roger Pennington of Hawthorne, FL; Randy Pennington of Micanopy, FL; and Verona Chittum of High Springs, FL, as well as, 8 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild.
A visitation will be at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 NW 23rd Ave., on Wednesday, Sept. 13th from 6-8 pm. A Funeral service will be held at Chapel in the Meadows, 4100 NW 39TH Ave. on Thursday, September 14 at 10:30am with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jimmie’s memory to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 619 S. Marion Ave., Lake City, FL 32025.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home, www.forestmeadowsfh.com, 352-378-2528.
