Virginia Mings Sumners

Virginia Mings Sumners Virginia Mings Sumners, age 91, died July 28, 2007 in Austin Texas. She was born on February 11, 1916 in Big Sandy, Texas, the second of four children. Her parents were Evelyn Erwin Mings and Lonnie Thomas Mings. She graduated from Big Sandy High School, and was the second of the three sisters to graduate from Texas Woman’s University (1937), known at the time as Texas State College for Women. In 1939, while teaching high school in Nacogdoches, she met her future husband, the Reverend Charles A. Sumners at Camp Allen, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas camp, located at that time in Baytown. On June 25, 1940, Virginia Ruth Mings was married to the Reverend Charles Abram Sumners at Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Texas, in a double ring ceremony. In the same ceremony, Virginia’s older sister, Doris Evelyn Mings was married to Charles’ identical twin brother, The Reverend Thomas Woodward Sumners. Her brother, Tom Erwin Mings escorted Virginia down the aisle, and her sister, Mary June Mings, was her maid of honor. The celebrant was the Right Reverend Clinton S. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Texas. It was reported that due to the mirror likenesses of the identical twin brothers, Bishop Quinn joked that he was unsure which brother he was marrying to which sister. Tom Sumners responded, “it really doesn’t matter, Bishop, I am going home with Doris, and Charles is going home with Virginia!” The marriages marked the beginning of remarkable careers of faithfulness, achievement and service for both clergy couples; Charles and Virginia in Austin at St. David’s Episcopal Church, and Tom and Doris in Houston at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. Virginia Sumners was from the very beginning of her marriage, the Rector’s wife. She was the right hand of Charles Sumners in gracious hospitality, in unwavering spirituality, and in graceful service. She was a loyal and generous friend and prayer partner to hundreds of people who passed through the doors of St. David’s Church during her lifetime. Countless friends and family knew her as a loving and steadfast writer of notes and cards, carrying thoughtful messages of sympathy, thanksgiving, and encouragement, an almost daily practice which continued into her 90th year. Virginia set a high standard for her family in all aspects of her life. For the 67 years of her residency, the family home on Pearl Street symbolized nourishment and sanctuary. The dining room table that seated 20 was often unable to seat everyone. Without sacrificing her appreciation of what was fitting and proper, Virginia was a loyal and enthusiastic fan of the Texas Longhorns and Tom Landry’s Dallas Cowboys! She would prepare and serve an overflowing Thanksgiving dinner and then Charles and Virginia would go to Memorial Stadium, and cheer for the ‘Horns, often in the rain! Active in the life of the Austin community, Virginia served on the boards of St. David’s Hospital, The Next to New Shop of Austin, the Austin Counseling Center, The Austin Association of University Women, and the YMCA of Austin, and she highly valued her membership in the Settlement Club of Austin. Preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two sisters, Virginia is survived by her devoted brother and sister-in-law, Tom Erwin Mings and his wife, Carolyn Uhler Mings; her sons, The Reverend Charles A. Sumners III and his wife, Robin Woods Sumners, Thomas Mings Sumners and his wife, Paula Sargent Sumners, and Robert Mings Sumners, and his wife Tina Meg Sumners; her grand children, Thomas Ulmer Sumners and Charles A. Sumners IV, Thomas Woodward Sumners II, Matthew Speck Sumners, and Mary-Peyton Sumners, and Christina Beth Sumners; Step-grandchildren Mimi Woods Doherty and her husband Braden Doherty, Clinton Carl Meyer II and his wife, Lauren Marie Meyer, Lindsay Gayle Lackey and her husband Colin Ross Lackey; Step-great grandchildren, Benjamin Spenser Doherty and Maxwell Stephen Doherty, and Colton Erwin Meyer; much beloved niece and nephews, and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, great grandnieces and great grandnephews, and cousins. Virginia wanted to especially recognize and thank for their faithful love and devotion, her cousin, Laura Joseph and her husband, Cater Joseph, Mary Lou Hall and her husband, Charles Hall, of Houston, Theo Thompson, Donna Clift, caregivers Valeria Coban and Anita Joseph, and her patient and compassionate physician, Dr. Nancy Foster. The family will receive family and friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. July 31st at Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on August 1, 2007, at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 304 E. 7th St. Following burial at Oakwood Cemetery, a reception will be held in Sumners Hall at St. David’s Church. Serving as pallbearers will be Charles Abram Sumners IV, Thomas Woodward Sumners, Matthew Speck Sumners, Dr. Tom Mings, Victor A. Kormeier, Theo Thompson, John C. Phillips, and Charles H. Boyd. It was Virginia’s hope that those who wish to make a memorial tribute direct their gifts to St. David’s Episcopal Church Foundation, 304 E. 7th St., Austin, TX, 78701, or to the St. David’s Community Health Foundation, 811 Barton Springs Road, Ste. 600, Austin, TX, 78704. In 2005, St. David’s Church established a legacy society for those who make provision in their estate plans for an endowed gift, naming it “The Sumners Legacy Society” to honor all that the Reverend Charles Abram Sumners and his beloved wife, Virginia Mings Sumners have done for St. David’s. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com