Mr. Carroll D. "Sam" Summerlin

January 30, 1940 - September 25, 2016

Carroll David “Sam” Summerlin, 76, peacefully passed away Sunday, September 25, 2016, in Tallahassee. A son of the late Rufus and Eunice Fletcher Summerlin, Sam was born January 30, 1940, in Coolidge, Georgia. Following graduation from high school, he attended Birdwood Junior College in Thomasville, Georgia. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, was certified as a sharpshooter, and proudly served his country for four years, stationed primarily in Okinawa as a Morse Interceptor. After his military service, Sam completed his bachelors degree in finance and accounting at Florida State University. He subsequently went to work for the State of Florida, retiring after 34 years as the Budget Director of the Department of Health, Office of Disability Determinations. During his life, Sam travelled both abroad and within the United States, from the Northeast to the California Coast. He enjoyed playing golf and fishing, was an avid FSU fan, but most importantly, he loved and adored his family. He will always be remembered for his candid humor and ability to entertain all with his country music “vocals,” in particular, He Stopped Loving Her Today. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Anne McLaughlin Summerlin; his children, Rusty (Darinda) McLaughlin and Danni (Nathan) Atkins; grandchildren, Casey (Jordan) and Kayla McLaughlin, and Rebecca and Elizabeth Atkins, all of Tallahassee, FL. Also surviving is his sibling, Willie Maude Weeks (Thomasville, GA), sister-in-laws, Gladys (Tampa, FL) and Jackie (Davenport, FL) Summerlin and Marjorie Summerlin Eaddy (Perry, FL), as well as a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many friends. He is predeceased by four brothers, Gene (Tampa, FL), Freddie (Davenport, FL), Grady (Savannah, GA), Glenn (Spencer Mountain, TN) and R.J. (Perry, FL) Summerlin. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM until 2:30 PM, Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Abbey Funeral Home. Services will begin at 2:30 PM. He will be laid to rest at Roselawn Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice. Online sympathies may be expressed at www.abbeyfh.com.