Hazel (O'Neal) Sumner

Townsend – Hazel Ruth Sumner, 81, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, in Brunswick.  She was a native of McIntosh County where she lived most of her life.  Hazel was a self-employed seamstress most of her life and was a homemaker.  She attended Shellman Bluff Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, John Sumner, and siblings, Frank O’Neal, Brantley O’Neal, Louise Essex, Howard O’Neal, Jackie O’Neal, and Ernest O’Neal.

Survivors are her daughter, Margaret Ann Schroeder (Tom) of Tampa, FL; sons, Robert Wicker (Lisa) of Brunswick, Michael Wicker, of Tampa, and Randy Hope of Townsend; step children, Johnann Faircloth (Troy) of Darien, Wesley Sumner (Rose) of Jesup, Dee Dee Valario and Bobby Valario of IL; sisters, Shirley Essex of Jesup and Joann Myerly of Townsend; half-sister, Pattie Jo Tapani of Palatka; half-brothers, Steven O’Neal of Palatka, FL, Michael O’Neal and Sean O’Neal of Darien; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 20, at 2 PM at Howard Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Stilwell officiating.  Burial will follow in Odessa Cemetery in Jesup.

Visitation will be from 1-2 PM Friday prior to the services at the funeral home.

Active pallbearers will be Tony O’Neal, Rusty McElroy, Mitchell Meeks, Allen Jackson, Buddy O’Neal, and Lewis Davis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Hazel’s customers and Bobby Valerio, Sam Clark, and Robbie Wicker.

Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home of Ludowici.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hazel (O'Neal) Sumner, please visit our floral store.