Susan "Susie" Faye Summers, 64, was called to her heavenly home after a short illness on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, MO. She was born on Friday, June 14, 1957 in St. Charles, MO, the fourth of eight children, to Kelley Neil and Dorla Dean (Rector) Summers.

Although Susie was born with Muscular Dystrophy, she lived her life with a positive attitude, a loving nature and a quick-witted sense of humor. She never let the illness or her wheelchair deter her from achieving her goals. Susie was highly intelligent and in 1975 she graduated from Kickapoo High School in Springfield, MO. She went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Special Education in 1979 from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Susie lived independently and enjoyed movies, dining out, reading and music. She loved children, collected children's books and would often read to her young nieces, nephews and cousins. Throughout her life, Susie was a tireless advocate for people with disabilities, both in her former career at the Southwest Center for Independent Living and in her personal life. She always looked for the good in people and was unwavering in her faith as a Christian, most recently attending Calvary Chapel in Springfield.

Susie was preceded in death by her father, two brothers Keith and Danny and one nephew Matthew.

She is survived by her mother, her life partner Colin Chamberlain of Kent, England, five siblings Kathy, Barbie, Gerald, Julie and Kristy, three  nephews Kelley, Nathan and Aaron, six nieces Erin, Shelley, Kendra, Katelin, Emma and Anna and a multitude of family and friends.

Susie's was a life well-lived, and though we are grieving, we know that she's dancing through the gates of Heaven! All are welcome to attend a graveside service at 4 PM on Friday, September 17, 2021 at the Hazelwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com