Barbara Ruth Summerville
Passed Away on July 4, 2020
Barbara Ruth Summerville passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on July 4th, 2020, in Mesa Arizona. Barbara lived a wonderful life and her spirit is received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where she shall rest from all her troubles, and from all care and sorrow.
Barbara was born on November 12, 1933, in Glendale, California to the parents of William James Stratton and Dorothy Carol Stratton. Barbara is survived by her sister Christine Louise Wilkinson, her brother James John Stratton, her sons John Lee Summerville, William Wayne Summerville, Gerald Allen Summerville, her daughter-in-laws Kenya Summerville, Louise Summerville, Mellodie Summerville, her nieces Lucille Christine Huser, Lisa Renee Huser, her nephew Jim Stratton, her Grandchildren Savahna, Amber, Corbin, Dallin, Daniel, Jarod, Izabel, Drew and Stephanie, her Great Grandchildren Adaline, Avery, Rhett, Keilani, Sophie, and Austin, and other relatives and friends who loved Barbara very much.
Barbara grew up in Hollywood, California and went to Hollywood High School. Barbara once wrote in a journal, “I loved growing up in Hollywood”. Barbara attended University of California (“UCLA”) for two years and where she studied math had a dream to become a math teacher. Barbara’s plans changed when Barbara met a handsome young marine named Bobby Wayne Summerville. Bobby and Barbara were married on July 4, 1953.
Bobby and Barbara moved to several different marine bases including 29 Palms, California; Cherry Point, North Carolina; and El Toro, California. During that time Bobby and Barbara had three sons John, Billy, and Jerry. After Bobby returned from Viet Nam in 1967 Bobby and Barbara moved to Marine Corp Air Station in Yuma. Bobby and Barbara bought a home in Yuma and raised their boys in Yuma. Barbara took the Civil Service Exam and got a Job working at the Marine Base as a bookkeeper. Barbara would say, “the marines were very respectful and would always say to her “yes ma’am””. Barbara retired from her job at the marine base after 30 years and took a job at the Yuma Private Industries as a bookkeeper. Barbara retired again and in 2005 move to Mesa Arizona to be close to her family.
Barbara was a faithful religious person and grew up in the Catholic church. Barbara converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Barbara served faithfully in the church, sang in the church choir, and attended the Temple regularly. Barbara spent countless hours working on family histories, researching family records, compiling genealogy records, and doing Temple work.
Barbara was a sports fanatic and bought a large screen TV just to watch sports and Fox News. Barbara loved bowling, football, baseball, and golf. Barbara especially loved football and was devoted UCLA fan and would cheer loud for her UCLA Bruins. Barbara was an excellent Bowler and past on her love for bowling to her sons and her Granddaughter Savahna. Savahna bowled on the men’s bowling team at ASU. Barbara loved to swim and swam most every day for many years of her life. Barbara’s most favorite sports were any sport with her sons and grandchildren. Barbara cheered loud for her sons and grandchildren and she was their best fan.
Barbara loved animals and had many pets including dogs; Sam, Oso, Butch, Skippy, Lucky dog, Jay-Jay, Riley and cats, Fluffy, Phantom and Tatiddy. One day a dog was hit by car in front of her home in Yuma. Barbara found out the dog survived and adopted that dog and named him “Lucky Dog”. Barbara had a love for birds and would always put out bird seed which made her home a very popular home for the birds to come to.
Barbara was involved in politics and kept current on the issues of the day. Barbara was very passionate about politics and issues she believed in and would fight for what she believed in and would never back down from what she knew was right. Barbara was very charitable and gave money to church tithes and numerous causes that she believed in.
Barbara loved her family and loved others and devoted her life in the service of others. She never forgot a birthday, an anniversary, a special occasion or holiday. Barbara love to send beautiful Hallmark Cards for every occasion. Barbara was loved and accepted everyone that came into her life. She lived and love life to the fullest and she knew that we would all be together again because families are forever.
The family would like to thank all the wonderful people for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. A memorial service will be held for Barbara on July 25, 2020, with a meet with family at 10:00am and a service at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 532 South Greenfield Road, Mesa. In lieu of gifts or donations, Barbara would ask that you give to a charity or cause that you believe in.
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