Mr. Elam Ray Summerlin,, 80 Sr.

AUTRYVILLE Elam Ray Summerlin, Sr., of Autryville passed away peacefully on September 28, 2015 at the age of 80. Elam was a proud member of the United States Army, Sergeant First Class retired, serving in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Following his army retirement, he worked for Estes Express Lines and raised cattle. He was a member of VFW Post 7547, Chapter 37 of the International Harvester Collectors, and the South River Tractor Club. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Overman Summerlin; his parents, Marvin and Maybelle Grady Summerlin; and his siblings, Morris Summerlin, Sr. and Ann Summerlin Smith. He is survived by his wife, Judy Summerlin; and his six children and their spouses, daughter Tammie and husband Ken Page, daughter Teresa and husband Michael Gudely, son Ray Summerlin, Jr., and wife Debbie, son Johnny Summerlin and wife Yvonne, son Steven Summerlin and wife Wendy, and daughter Stephanie and husband Edward Devenish. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Summerlin and Buck Webb, Brian Gudely, Erin Summerlin and Tanner Briele, Sarah and Will Holt, Garin Summerlin, Samantha Summerlin and Harris Kelly, Jordan Gudely, Ashley Summerlin, John Lee Summerlin, Jared Devenish, Ike Summerlin, Alexander Devenish, Nelda Summerlin, Natalie Devenish, and Jake Devenish. He also leaves three nephews, Joe Smith, Morris Summerlin, Jr., and Jonathan Summerlin. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:45 pm Thursday, October 1 at Halls United Methodist Church, 4621 Minnie Hall Road, Autryville, with the funeral service following at 3:00 pm with Rev. Christi Christianson, Rev. Andy Wood, Col. Dudley Neal and Rev. Jim Owen officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Johnston Health Foundation for the SECU Hospice House of Smithfield or to Halls United Methodist Church. The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Ketheeswaran, Patrice and the staff of Trinity Oncology and Hematology, as well as the staff of the Smithfield SECU Hospice House. Services by Butler Funeral Home, 401 W. Roseboro Street, Roseboro.