Sophia A. Gentry Sumners, 82, passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.

Born Feb. 18, 1927 in Francisco, she was the daughter of Annie Catherine (Steihl) and William Walter Gentry.

She graduated from Francisco High School in 1946 and Lockyear Business School in Evansville.

She married Ralph Sumners on Nov. 6, 1947 in Princeton. They were married 57 years before his passing in 2005. She resided in Avon for 55 years and was a member of First Baptit Church in Plainfield for more than 50 years. She was a homemaker and had several temporary jobs. She was employed at Potter & Brumfield, RCA in Indianapolis and Blue Cross-Blue Shield.

Sophia will be remembered for her exemplary culinary skills. Most especially her homemade yeast rolls, pies and cakes. She was very popular room mother at Avon Elementary Schools when it was her turn to bring homemade cookies.

She loved to do needlework and passed on her green thumb and love of flowers and gardening to many of her surviving children and grandchildren.

Sophia was an avid geneologist and loved traveling around the U.S. with her husband, Ralph doing research for both Gentry and Sumner families. She was a member of the Gibson County Genealogical Society, Indiana Historical Society and Society of Indiana Pioneers. She also belonged to the Avon Homemaker’s Club, was den mother for Avon Boy Scout Pack 306 and an assistant leader for the Avon Girl Scout Brownies.

Survivors include five children, Clarissa Snapp, Jane (Jim) Ley of Indianapolis, Mark Sumners of Vancleve, Miss., Gail (David) Shugart of Avon, Beth Sumners of Plainfield; nine grandchildren, Jason Sumners of Indianapolis, Laura Snapp of Bloomington, Sarah Sumners of Plainfield, David (Milena) Snapp of Boulder, Colo., Lucas Sumners of Plainfield, Matthew Ley of Indianapolis, Christopher Husk of Jasper, Brett Husk of Bloomington, Tyler Summerhill of Plainfield; four great-grandchildren, Peyton and Devin Spaulding, Jackson Pickers, Taavi Snapp; brother, Stiehl Gentry of Petersburg; sisters-in-law, Amye Rue Martin, Martha Newcomb, Georgia Price; 43 nieces and nephews; and more than 100 great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brother, Harvey Gentry; and seven sisters, Captolia Sturgis, Marie Wilson, Catherine Bottoms, Vonada Smith, Deloris Cox, Thelma White and Hilda Newcome.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 with calling beginning at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1012 Stafford Road in Plainfield. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Plainfield.