25 LC 112 3570
Senate Resolution 497
By: Senators Brass of the 6th, Kennedy of the 18th, Gooch of the 51st, Robertson of the 29th,
Anavitarte of the 31st and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Michael Ernest Sumner; and for other purposes.
1
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2
with the passing of Michael Ernest Sumner on February 22, 2025; and3
WHEREAS, Michael Ernest Sumner was born on February 12, 1958, in Nashville,4
Tennessee, a beloved son of Ernest L. Sumner and Marjorie Meadows Sumner; and5
WHEREAS, his family moved to Decatur, Georgia, in 1959, and he graduated from Lakeside6
High School in 1976, the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia in7
1980, and the University of Georgia Lumpkin School of Law in 1984; and8
WHEREAS, Michael Ernest Sumner began his distinguished legal career at Glover & Davis9
before working with Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs in Atlanta and later establishing his10
own law practice in Newnan in 1996, which continues today as Sumner Meeker LLC; and11
WHEREAS, he dedicated 16 years of service to the Coweta County Board of Education,12
including five years as board chair, where he played a pivotal role in founding the Nixon13
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Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, developing Georgia's first technical charter high
14
school, and implementing Coweta County's senior tax exemption; and15
WHEREAS, he was united in love and marriage to his wife of 39 years, Leah, and together16
they were blessed with three remarkable sons, Ernest, Stuart, and Thomas, and a cherished17
granddaughter, Mary; and18
WHEREAS, a man of deep and abiding faith, Michael Ernest Sumner devoted over five19
decades of his life to Central Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, participated in the20
chancel choir and a Gospel quartet, attended the weekly Men's Bible Study, and taught the21
Connections Sunday School Class alongside Leah; and22
WHEREAS, he was an enthusiastic sports fan who passionately supported Georgia football,23
Virginia basketball, and the Atlanta Braves, with an encyclopedic knowledge of team history,24
statistics, and personalities; and25
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Michael Ernest Sumner will long be26
remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who27
had the great fortune of knowing him.28
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29
join in honoring the life and memory of Michael Ernest Sumner and express their deepest30
and most sincere regret at his passing.31
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of33
Michael Ernest Sumner.34
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