Lucy Rountree Sommers

Published 10:45 pm Saturday, October 24, 2015

Lucy Rountree Sommers, age 92, died on Oct. 12, 2015, in Birmingham.

She was born in Selma on March 19, 1923, to William Tarver Rountree and Doris Lott Rountree. She graduated from Ramsey High School in Birmingham and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va. in 1945.

Her college years corresponded to the years of World War II, 1941-1945. She formed a special bond with her college friends and remained in close touch with them for the rest of her life. She hosted their annual reunions, which were filled with much fun and many stories of their college days.

After graduation from college, she returned to Selma and taught ancient history. She became an avid golfer and tennis player and enjoyed both sports throughout most of her life.

Mrs. Sommers married Sigmund Robert Sommers on July 7, 1950 in Selma. They were active in many aspects of the community and both loved Selma, its rich history and wonderful people.

She is survived by their four daughters; Doris Bennett (Gregg) of Gadsden, Lucy Wallace (Steve) of Birmingham, Sigmunde Freed (Andrew) of Bluffton, S.C., and Sheldon Opielski (Ken) of King of Prussia, Pa. and nine grandchildren; Josh Bennett, Lucy Bennett, Joe Wallace, Emily Wallace Colon (Chad), Elizabeth Wallace, Russell Freed, Abigail Freed, Robert Opielski and Katie Opielski.

She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Sara Rountree and Carol Sommers; two nieces, Frances Sommers Wheelock and Jeanette Sommers Wade; and four nephews, Sam Sommers, Bill Rountree, Stewart Rountree, and Larry Rountree; and beloved family friend, Evelyn Holmes.

She was preceded in death by her two sons, David and Sigmund Sommers, her beloved brother, William Tarver Rountree, Jr.; and cherished family friend, Tom Ryan.

Mrs. Sommers was a member of DAR, Colonial Dames and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where she was a lay reader and an active member of the Women of the Church. She loved reading, fishing, gardening, traveling, cars and cooking for family and friends. She also enjoyed keeping up with politics, advancing women’s rights and sustaining the family’s rich historical past. She maintained a fiercely independent spirit throughout her life and believed in the power of education and the value of an open mind.

In keeping with her love of teaching, she donated her body to the anatomical donor program at UAB. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Selma on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the parish hall. Donations may be made in her honor to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 1306, 210 Lauderdale Street, Selma, AL 36702.