Howard "Buddy" Kyle Sumner

Mr. Howard "Buddy" Kyle Sumner entered into the more immediate presence of our Lord suddenly Saturday afternoon, June 8, 2013. Born in Galax, Virginia on September 30, 1940, to the late John Woodrow and Orpie Irene Cruise Sumner, Buddy had an infectious smile and brightened the world with his contagious laughter and positive personality. A kind and generous man, Buddy loved people he met quickly and unquestioningly. After graduating from Mt. Airy High School, Buddy served two years in the U.S. Army, including an overseas assignment in Seoul, Korea. Discharged from military service in 1964, Buddy worked briefly as production supervisor for Quality Mills before pursuing an accounting degree at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. After working as a cost accountant for The Lane Company in Altavista, VA for several years, Buddy returned to Mt. Airy to join the public accounting firm of Strand, Skees and Jones. Subsequently, he opened his own accounting practice, serving local clients with devotion. Following his retirement from accounting, he worked for five years for the City of Mt. Airy. Buddy chose Grace Moravian Church as his place of worship early in his youth. A devoted and faithful member, Buddy served as an elder and a trustee as well as holding various committees memberships. He loved the Bill Coble Sunday School Class, Men's Brotherhood, and his church family. Even when he lived away from Grace Moravian, he returned often to share in the rich traditions of the Christmas Lovefeast and the Easter sunrise service. As a lifelong sports fan, Buddy was an avid golfer who enjoyed every round at Mt. Airy Country Club and area golf courses with the group who refer to themselves as the "old men." He always followed the adventures and misadventures of his beloved VaTech Hokies on the basketball court and football field and was an avid Atlanta Braves fan. His first love was always playing and encouraging his sons and grandson to develop their skills, especially in his beloved sport of golf. Buddy leaves behind his wife, Frances Gwynn Sumner; sons and daughter-in-law, Brian K. and Dana Sumner of Raleigh, Christopher Sumner of Wilmington and his precious grandson, Beckett Sumner; sisters and brothers-in-law, Treva and Tony Haynes and Rebecca and Kelly Vipperman of Mount Airy, and brother and sister-in-law, John W. and Roni Sumner of Portsmouth, Va. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at Grace Moravian Church with burial in God's Acre with military honors by VFW Memorial Honor Guard Mt. Airy Post 2019 & Pilot Mountain Post 9436. The service will be conducted by Pastor Tony Hayworth. Family will receive friends in the sanctuary from 12:30 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Moravian Church, 1401 N. Main St., Mt. Airy, NC 27030.