Norman Dewitt Summers, 65, was born February 22, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York, and passed away March 23, 2026, at 9:21 a.m. Norman will be remembered as a spiritual, honest, family-oriented, and uplifting man—a true community leader and the steady “Protector” so many depended on.
Norman was a roofer by trade, and he truly loved his work. Even after retirement, he enjoyed reminiscing about the job he took pride in—sharing stories, lessons learned, and the satisfaction that comes from doing honest work well.
For 32 years, Norman shared a devoted marriage with his wife, Selma Lucy Rabess Summers. He was deeply family oriented, a proud father of four, and he had a remarkable way of widening the circle—claiming all of his children’s friends as his own. He loved to organize family events, bringing people together with purpose, warmth, and a celebratory spirit that made everyone feel they belonged.
Norman also had a special love for Cadillacs and Monte Carlos, and that joy—simple, genuine, and unmistakably his—was part of what made time with him so memorable.
A counselor at heart, Norman was the person everyone went to for advice. He had a gift for helping others see what was possible, always telling people what they COULD do, and encouraging them to keep moving forward. He lived the words he believed in and often shared: “You can have whatever you want, so long as you work hard.” His legacy is that of a family patriarch whose strength, faith, and guidance will continue to uplift those who carry his love forward.
Norman was preceded in death by his father, Napoleon Walter Summers; his mother, Brenda Joyce Morrison Summers; his brother, Eugene Summers; and his brother, Eugene Summers.
He was survived by his wife, Selma Lucy Rabess Summers who joined him in death on March 25, 2026; his son, Curtis Summers (Brittany) of Lexington, North Carolina; his daughters, Karolyn Summers of Statesville, North Carolina, Krystal Summers of Statesville, North Carolina, and Karen Rabess of Statesville, North Carolina; his brother, Sheldon Summers of Statesville, North Carolina; his sisters, Andrienne Summers of Texas, Juanita Spencer of Statesville, North Carolina, Phyllis Summers of New York, and Yolanda Moten of Statesville, North Carolina. Norman leaves to cherish his memory 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home in Statesville, North Carolina, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
A Homegoing Service will be held in the Chapel of Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home in Statesville on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Words of condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family, online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville is honored to be entrusted with the care of Norman and his family.
