Libby Summerlin Weed

October 17, 1944 – May 3, 2023

Mary Elisabeth Summerlin was born in Port Arthur, Texas, to Max Iverson and Dorothy Merwin Summerlin and was soon given the nickname “Libby,” though her father never called her anything but Mary. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1963 and completed undergraduate studies at Abilene Christian University and the University of Arizona and continued studies at the University of Texas, culminating in an M.A. in English Literature and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration.

Dr. Weed was preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law Aline Summerlin, and her nephews Dan and Reuben Summerlin.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Michael Robbins Weed; her siblings Patricia Martin and husband Bill of Houston, Phil Summerlin of Signal Mountain, Tenn., Robyn Summerlin of Woodville, Tim Summerlin and wife Mary Ellen of Kerrville, and Carol Reed and husband Jim of Cedar Park; her children and their spouses, Susan and Patrick Womack of Pflugerville and Jonathan and Amber Weed of Austin; her beloved grandchildren Mary, Hannah, Daniel, Luke, Natalie, and Anna; and a host of friends and other family members.

Libby grew up in a home of Christian faith. It was a place where family, education, literature, music, and many positive facets of life were valued. She was thankful for loving parents and five siblings who made her childhood happy and prepared her for a full, satisfying adult life. Though every family member had a distinct personality and particular tastes, all six siblings have remained close throughout life, sought opportunities to be together, and cherished their gatherings. Many in the succeeding generations of the family continue to carry on that tradition.

Among Libby’s goals in life were to make a home for her husband and children that was founded in faith and as warm and nurturing as the home in which she grew up, and to be a wife and mother who made a family all God created the family to be. Later, she had similar goals as a grandmother, which prompted her to host Sunday dinners for the extended family after church each week for many years. She loved taking children and grandchildren to Longhorn baseball games or to Gilbert & Sullivan performances, and she cherished a special “Nana Day” with each grandchild each summer. She was passionate about her grandchildren and actively involved in their upbringing.

Libby and Michael’s long marriage was described by another friend as the union of Augustine and Pollyanna. But despite their significant differences in temperament, personality, and outlook, they loved each other deeply and enjoyed a remarkable partnership. They shared a wide range of interests, including attending theater, concerts, and sports events; engaging in sports, music, and other activities with their children during the growing-up years; working together on home, school, and church projects; reading and editing each other’s writing and coauthoring a book on basic Bible study; and bicycling, running, and walking together.

Libby knew from an early age that she wanted to spend her life around children and to have an influence on their learning and development. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she first taught in the Austin public schools. She spent some years as an editor at a Christian publishing firm, and she enjoyed both the teaching and the editing a great deal. But it was when she became principal at Brentwood Christian School that she found her true calling. For thirty years she served in that role, and she loved meeting with parents and getting to know each family and each child. And she delighted in building strong working relationships with teachers and helping them become the best leaders and imparters of Christian worldview they could possibly be. She was known for being the epitome of a servant leader and was loved deeply.

Libby was also active in her church family as a teacher of children and of adult classes. She was the author of many curriculum guides for Bible school instruction, and she was co-author with her husband of the Bible Handbook: A Guide to Basic Bible Learning, which was reprinted over many years and translated into three other languages. As an editor, she created the Read-N-Grow Picture Bible, which was published successively by Sweet, Word, Thomas Nelson, and Focus on the Family.

One of her enduring interests was enjoying and promoting the comic operas of Gilbert & Sullivan. Libby served for many years on the Board of Directors of Gilbert & Sullivan Austin, many of them as President, and she found great satisfaction in helping prepare grand productions that were true to the intent and vision of their creators and also full of delight for modern audiences.

An absorbing commitment in the last years of her life was taking part in the creation of the Center for Christian Studies, an enterprise dedicated to providing resources for churches to enable their members and families to grow in biblical and theological knowledge and to strengthen faith.

“Love one another as I have loved you.” These words spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of John truly capture Libby’s approach to life. She had a unique ability to make people feel comfortable and valued, and to inspire them to strive for excellence in pursuit of what is true, noble, right, and good. Through teaching, writing, and personal relationships, her impact for God’s kingdom was far-reaching. Everyone who knew her was touched by her grace and love.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 12, from 5-8 p.m. at Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, 11908 North Lamar Blvd. Funeral services will also be held at Brentwood, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 13. Interment will be at Austin Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Christian Studies, Brentwood Christian School, Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, or Gilbert & Sullivan Austin.