Summer Ione LaWahna Smisson Neel

Summer Ione LaWahna Smisson Neel died early Saturday morning at her home surrounded by her family. Summer, born July 31, 1961 in Augusta, Georgia is the daughter of Hugh Franklin Smisson, Jr., MD and LaWahna Dawn Rigdon Smisson of Macon. Macon became Summer’s home early in her life and she lived most of her life here.

Summer graduated from Stratford Academy in Macon, Georgia. She received her diploma from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia as well as her Masters from Augusta College. After graduation she opened Fancy That, a children’s boutique, with her mother.

Summer married John Sanford Neel, Jr., of Griffin on September 15, 1990 and together they have four beautiful children, Ford, Smisson, Summer Dawn and Sanford Caroline. Summer’s greatest joy was her children. She also had a special love for her family and her friends.

Summer especially had a great love for Stratford Academy where her oldest son graduated just last year and where the younger children are currently students. Stratford recognized Summer’s love for her alma mater by awarding her the Alumnus of the Year Award in 2010 and inducting her into the inaugural class of the Stratford Sports Hall of Fame. Summer was also a founding member and vice-president of the Stratford Alumni Association.

Summer was a member of Vineville United Methodist Church and a founding member of The Rush Sunday School Class for which she found a great blessing. She was also a member of the Pines and Peaches Garden Club, the Sidney Lanier Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy, the Macon Junior League and Idle Hour Country Club.

Summer Smisson Neel is survived by her husband John Sanford Neel, Jr., her children John Sanford Neel, III, Rigdon Smisson Neel, Summer Dawn Neel and Sanford Caroline Neel. She is also survived by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Hugh Franklin Smisson, Jr., her sister and brother in law, Richard Burton and LaWahna Dawn Liipfert and their children Richard Burton Liipfert, Jr., LaWahna Dawn and her husband Byron Bryant Pyles, Summer Sterling and Merry Burton Liipfert and great niece Lila Dawn Pyles. She is also survived by her brother and sister in law Hugh Franklin, III and Jane Leigh Adams Smisson and their children Hugh Franklin Smisson, IV, William Benjamin Smisson and Rigdon Adams Smisson.

Family and friends will be welcome to visitation at Summer’s home, 4278 Old Club Road East, Sunday evening April 10, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Church services will be Monday, April 11, 2011 at 11:00 am at Vineville United Methodist Church. Dr. Marcus Tripp and Mr. Mike Kinnebrew will officiate. Interment will immediately follow the service at Riverside Cemetery at 66 Madison Street.

Pallbearers will be Summer and John’s nephews Rich Liipfert, Franklin Smisson, Benjamin Smisson and Rigdon Smisson, Byron Pyles, Stephen Thompson and Spencer Neel Tomlin.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Vineville United Methodist Church at 2045 Vineville Avenue, Macon, Georgia 31204 or Stratford Academy at 6010 Peake Road, Macon, Georgia 31220.

Snows Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.