Glaphrey E. "Gay" Sumners

Glaphrey Edene Winford was born 31 May 1932 in depression era Tennessee to Trannie Stalcup Winford and Garland Winford.  She grew up on a small farm in the town of Taft, Tennessee.

Glaphrey grew up to be the Basketball star at Blanche High School.  Her Team was the Women’s HS Basketball State Champions in her Sophomore and Junior year and Runner Up Champions her senior year.  In 1949 her friend asked her on a double date.  She wasn’t sure if she should go on a date with an unknown “college man”.  That night she met the man who would be her partner in love and business for the rest of her life, Philip H. Sumners.

Glaphrey and Philip married in Tazewell Tennessee on 19 Aug 1950.  Their first home was an old Railroad Depot at Lincoln Memorial University where Glaphrey studied business and Philip worked as the LMU dairy farm manager.  When Philip was drafted, she followed him to Fort Jackson SC, Baltimore MD and Atlanta GA, using her business education to work in marketing.

In 1954, Philip left the Army and they moved to Knoxville TN and in 1955 Glaphrey and Philip started Dairy farming together in Athens, Tennessee.  Glaphrey welcomed her first son, Steven in Knoxville.  Four more sons followed over the next 6 years.  In 1978, Glaphrey and Philip move to Leesburg GA and together operated one of Georgia’s most award-winning farms.

In addition to being the mother of 5 active boys, Glaphrey continued as an active partner in the farm business.  She handled the administration and accounting, a task she continued until her 70s.

Glaphrey was an accomplished cook.  She was best known for her Pecan pies.  She was a skilled seamstress who dressed herself and her children.  Throughout her life she maintained an extensive fruit and vegetable garden.

Glaphrey was known in her community for her helpful and generous spirit.  If a farm worker fell on hard times, she would assist with food and clothing.  She would help sick friends and neighbors with meals and care.

As her own children grew, Glaphrey began to develop independent interests.  She painted flowers and still life.  She travelled to many parts of the United States.  She also offered care to her growing group of grandchildren.  Transporting them to school events, providing meals and making clothing, caring for them when their mothers were needed elsewhere.

Glaphrey died on January 21, 2019 at her home in Georgia.  Five months after the death of her lifelong partner of 68 years, Philip.  Glaphrey is survived by her sister Linda, 4 sons, Thomas & Timothy of Leesburg GA, Michael of Paris TN, Jeffrey of Huntsville AL and her 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in the memory of Glaphrey Sumners to Renasant Bank, 104 Heritage Lane, Leesburg, GA 31763 for the Lee County Sports and Ag Complex.