Ross Barnes Summitt, age 99 of Sevierville, died peacefully at home Saturday October 24, 2015. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sevierville. Ross was born on July 24, 1916 and raised in Monroe County, Tennessee, the eldest of five children. His early years helping on the farm developed his life-long work ethic, self-discipline, and love of being outdoors. His stories of rising early to milk, hauling it and various family and locals to town, going to school, and then gathering everything and everyone up (you were left if tardy) to return home to milking, chores, and homework evidenced his early acceptance of responsibility. The difficult times of the Great Depression left their mark and ingrained his conservative values of thrift and of maintaining your land, equipment, and assets, especially those for present and future family. He continued to help farm, but after high school graduation he began working in community banking in Sweetwater until he volunteered for the US Navy in late October of 1941. Without returning home for four years, he served his country all over the world, ferrying planes as navigator and then hunting submarines in the PBY “flying boat” primarily in the North African theater. He worked his way up to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was honorably discharged on October 19, 1945. After WWII he continued his education, graduating from business college while working in banking in Sweetwater, then Kingston and Cleveland before being hired at Sevier County Bank, July 1, 1949; the year became even more special when he married Mae Kimbrough on November 25, 1949 and brought her to Sevier County where they enjoyed a wonderful life together for 60 years.
His total banking career stretched nearly 80 years with over 60 with Sevier County Bank where he served as Cashier, EVP, President, Director and Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership SCB installed the first night-depository, drive-thru teller window, and the first fully networked and encrypted ATMs in Sevier County. He held various positions and received a number of awards from the Tennessee and Independent Bankers Associations. The stories of his vision and intelligence in lending are too numerous to tell but two examples are the total financing of three miles of sidewalks in Pigeon Forge in the 1970s and being the only local bank to participate in the large funding syndication of the 1982 World’s Fair because he believed it would benefit Sevier County. He led the formation of Sevier County Bancshares, Inc (SVRH) in 1984 and presided over it for over 25 years. He was integral in the property acquisition, planning, design, construction and opening of the Sevier County Bank headquarters in May 2006, making sure “his” customers and employees were secure, well served and had plenty of free parking. The Summitt Board Room on the 4th Floor was named (without his knowledge) in his honor. He retired as President in 2009 and as a Director of Sevier County Bank and Bancshares in 2012; however, he always kept up with the Bank, banking and especially his long-time customers.
Banking was his occupation and farming his passion; he loved Tennessee Walking Horses and was owner and breeder for many years with a life-time achievement of seeing his TN Walker, Midnight Copy J, ridden by his daughter Mary, win an Amateur World Grand Championship and then circle Neyland Stadium for UT’s Homecoming in 1981. He was very active in anything he did whether chairing the building committee for the new First United Methodist Church sanctuary, being treasurer for the Sevierville Lions Club & Smoky Bowl, charter member and treasurer of the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, Charter shareholder of Sevier Farmers Cooperative, a long-time member of American Legion Post 104 or as trustee and treasurer of Shiloh Memorial Cemetery. Ross and Mae Summitt have surely left a significant legacy that shall endure.
He was preceded in death by his wife; Mae Kimbrough Summitt, parents; Vina Mae (Brakebill) and Murray Dyer Summitt, and sisters; Flora Mae Keene and Helen Galyon.
Survivors:
Sons and daughter-in-law: Joe Jim Summitt, R.B. Summitt II and wife Liz
Daughters: Mary Summitt, Jo Anne Williams and husband Jack
Grandchildren: Bond Jones II and wife Leah, Paul Summitt, Ross Tyler Summitt and wife AnDe, and Kelly Kimbrough Jones
Step-granddaughters: Shari, Nicole, and Amber Adams
Brothers: Robert M. Summitt, and John L. Summitt (Joan)
Special Cousin: Charlie Brakebill
Several nieces and nephews
The family wants to especially acknowledge the Home Instead caregivers who helped make his last days so peaceful.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests friends to consider a donation be made to Shiloh Memorial Cemetery, c/o Lanning Wynn, 113 Joy St., Sevierville, TN 37862 or First United Methodist Church of Sevierville, 214 Cedar St., Sevierville, TN 37862.
The family will receive friends from 4-6:30 PM Tuesday with funeral service to follow at 7 PM at First United Methodist Church in Sevierville with Rev. Bruce Galyon and Rev. Jeff Lambert officiating. Eulogy provided by Gary Wade. Family and friends will gather 10 AM Wednesday at Shiloh Cemetery for graveside service and interment with military honors provided by American Legion Post #104. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. Online condolences may be made at (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)