Cathryn Summer Obituary

Cathryn Huffstetler Summer of Chapin, daughter of the late Mary Aileen Amick and the late Harvey Bernard "Doc" Huffstetler", died peacefully at home on Monday, June 9, 2025. Born August 30, 1932 in rural Chapin, she attended Chapin Schools and graduated as one of 26 in the class of 1950. Cathryn often said that she learned many lessons through the hard work of living on a farm. She had a large extended family and cherished growing up with her many cousins who lived nearby. Cathryn married Edward Ellerbe Summer on June 26, 1953. After his return from service in the United States Army, they built their home on Clark Street in Chapin and moved in September, 1957. Cathryn was a member of St. Peter (Piney Woods) Lutheran Church in the early years of her life, but living in town, joined Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church in May, 1971. She carried her church membership card with her until her death. She was an active member of her church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, was a member of church council, a charter member of the Friendship Circle, an offering counter, a member of the Social Ministry Team leading a team that served many bereaved family meals, a member of the Health Ministries Team, a youth advisor during the tenure of 2 pastors, and traveled with the youth choir to churches in South and North Carolina to perform the musical "If My People" and serving as the musical narrator. She served as the co-chair of the Fund Raising Campaign for Mt. Horeb's Educational Building addition. She was a member of the first Advisory Council for the inception of the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission's Chapin location when it originally opened on Boundary Street in the 1970s. Cathryn retired in 1994 after 23 years serving as the Secretary/Bookkeeper of Chapin Elementary School in the School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties. She was a wonderful cook and her family, friends and community loved the meals, cakes and pies she prepared. She especially loved to bake cakes for her grandchildren. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed discussing the games she watched with her family. Her greatest joy by far was the gift of grandchildren and delighted in their stories as her family grew. Cathryn is survived by her three children and their spouses Carol (Rusty) Thomas, Keith (Gina) Summer, and Deena (Joey) Bishop; six grandchildren Summer Gerth, Trey (Jessica) Thomas, Blake (Kasey) Summer, Kyle (Jacqueline) Summer, Luke Summer and Ella Bishop; nine great-grandchildren Cord, Sophie and Eady Gerth, Hope and Maddy Thomas, John, Lucy, Adelyn and Emery Summer. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her infant son, William David Summer, and sister Janice Metts. A public visitation will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025 at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Services will be held at 11:00 AM following the visitation. Burial in Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church Cemetery will immediately follow the service. The family wishes to thank the Caregivers from T&T At Home Healthcare and Agape Hospice for the love and care extended to her. Memorials may be made to Mt Horeb Lutheran Church, PO Box 8 Chapin, SC 29036. Memories and condolences may be left on her tribute wall. Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Summer family.