Phyllis Jean  (Poston) Summey born on August 11, 1948 in Asheville NC passed away peacefully in Jackson TN on January 1, 2026. She was 77 years old. Jean, as she was affectionately known by many lived a quiet life full of warmth, laughter, and love. She was very devoted to her family and friends. Born to Lois Farmer Poston and Willard "Buster" Poston, she grew up in the heart of the Smokey Mountains in western North Carolina and carried  and passed on those resilient and loving mountain values with her throughout her life's journey. 

Jean was proceeded in death by her first loving husband Calvin E. Pitts; and then later in life, by her equally wonderful husband,  George E. "Bill" Summey; daughter Pamela Pitts Kofron, our forever missed Princess of Pink and all things sweet ; best friends and partners in crime, her sons-in-law Edward Kofron and Rickey Summey; sisters and her literal soul mates,  Linda Pitts and Patricia Whiteside; much adored and (top tier uncle) her brother-in-law Dennis "Mickey" Whiteside; forever missed niece with the most  contagious laughter, Kimberly Whiteside; and her loving parents. Oh what a rejoiceful reunion is happening now in Heaven!

Jean's legacy lives on through her devoted daughters who adored her and will miss her greatly,  bringer home of all things stray and furry, Phyllis Pitts Summey (Terry) and her baby who swore she was grown and could spot a good pair of shoes at 18 months,  Susan Sherrill Rider (Tyler); much adored baby brother, James Clontz; grandchildren , her prideful first, Jesse Nelson(Rebecca),  her terror trio who could actually do no wrong in her and their papaw's eyes Dustin Kofron,  Jake Summey (Samantha), Adam Kofron (Julie),  her and Papaw's first and only girl, spoiled rotten, Maggie Summey Anderson ( Denver),  and her last but equally and joyfully celebrated grandbaby,   big ole brown eyed Kody Rider with a shocking head of hair; great grandson Aden Summey, her tiny gift straight from heaven as her prideful first great grand child; special niece Denise who was her comedic sidekick as they endured  the horrendous NC flooding together, living on roasted hot dogs,  candy corn and fabulous senses of humor for 24 days; as well as many more nieces and nephews  and  the younger "greats" who brightened her life and whom she adored always. Her family was the center of her world and humor, love and laughter were a given for all of us blessed to grow up in an era of hearing her and her Mom ( aka Grandma Poston) and sisters Pat and Linda and special aunt, Elsie on any given weekend laughing contagiously through the house as home cooking wafted through the air, slamming doors prevailed as grandchildren happily ran in and out, and  Bingo at the VFW  across the street was soon to start.

Jean's family was everything to her, as were her Eastern Star ties and friendships. She also loved country music and her  appalachian bluegrass roots and committed her all to all of these things. 

Jean's "happy place" when out of her beloved mountains was the beach..specifically Myrtle Beach SC, where she shared many, many happy memories with her family throughout the years. 

Jean's spirit will be remembered for her love, laughter and the joy for family times that she passed on. Her love for her "girls" and her grandchildren will never be forgotten. She left such a loving  imprint on all that walked through her life at any given time. 

A memorial in western NC  will be planned and announced at a later date.. May she rest in eternal peace.

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