Sumner Waite, Jr.

as awarded to him by his shagging community, Sumner loved to shag to Carolina beach music.

Whether at Fat Harold’s on Ocean Drive, or with Shag Atlanta, Sumner shagged from his early adult

years right into the most recent ones.

Sumner was born June 26, 1931 in Columbus, GA near Fort Benning to Elizabeth Carrison Waite of

Camden, SC and Brigadier General Sumner Waite, U.S. Army, of Falmouth Foreside, ME. The

family lived in Paris from 1936 to 1940 when Sumner, his mother and his siblings were evacuated

ahead of the Nazi occupation by their father who, after driving them to Genoa, Italy, stayed behind

continuing to serve as Assistant Military Attaché to France. The family then took a ship to New York

and on to Camden by train where they moved into his mother’s ancestral home. But being a military

family meant many moves. Sumner even attended high schools on both the west and east coasts

including Saint James Prep School in Hagerstown, Maryland where he graduated in 1950.

Sumner attended Washington & Lee University for 2 years where he was a member of Sigma Chi

fraternity, but after his father passed away, Sumner transferred to the University of South Carolina to

be close to his mother. Active in Greek life and sports, Sumner lettered in swimming and was a

cheerleader for his beloved Gamecocks. He graduated from USC in 1955 with an economics

degree.

Continuing his father’s military legacy, Sumner served his country in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at

Eglin Air Force Base. After an honorable discharge as Captain, he returned to civilian life eventually

moving to Atlanta where he met the love of his life, Nan Holleman, and they would marry in 1967.

The surprise and joy of their lives was having not ONE, but TWO sets of twins, 11 years apart.

Sumner loved people, never met a stranger, and used his supreme social skills to serve his

community and the people around him. His lifelong career in life insurance gave him the opportunity

to create financial solutions for those he loved and met. He raised money for the March of Dimes,

served the homeless and hungry at the Pine Street Soup Kitchen, and was an active member and

longtime usher at The Cathedral at St. Philip. It was important to him to live a healthy, active life, and

he ran 12 Peachtree Road Races. Sumner was also fascinated by the world around him and was an

avid reader on subjects as diverse as Ancient History to Unidentified Flying Objects.

Sumner’s grateful attitude served him well throughout his life. His roots gave him a firm faith in God

and a great love for his family and his country. His family takes comfort in knowing he is with our

Savior.

Sumner is survived by his loving wife, Nan; his son Sumner Waite, III (Aimee); his daughters Kathryn

(Bill), Elizabeth (DJ), and Natalie (Shane); grandchildren: Carrison, Will, Elsie, Beaumont, Hope,

Andrew, Caroline, Sumner Camden, Hallie, Jase Sumner, and Benjamin; his brother Jordan

(Nancy), his brother-in-law Bernard (Sumner’s sister Betty, predeceased); sister-in-law Nellie

Holleman; and his nieces and nephews: Elizabeth, Allison, John, Jenna, David Sumner and their

families.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 12th at 2:00 pm at The Cathedral of St. Philip,

2744 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the

March of Dimes and the Atlanta Mission.