Joan Biafora Summers, 87, of Canton, Ga., entered eternal life on Aug. 8, 2023. Joan was born August 3, 1936, in Morgantown, the daughter of the late Sam and Clara Andy Biafora. She was a graduate of Morgantown High School and was an active member of Student Council, Mohigan yearbook staff, A ‘Capella, May Day Court, and a member of National Honor Society.
Joan holds two B.S. degrees from West Virginia University (WVU) in secondary education and English and a master’s degree in secondary education also at WVU. In her junior year of college, she traveled with a group headed by Dr. Armond Singer to Europe, visiting 13 countries and earning six credit hours in the Humanities. While at WVU, she participated in many steering committees to plan Homecoming, Mountaineer Weekend, Life Week and Greater West Virginia weekend. She was most proud to have been a member of the Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society.
Joan married her high school sweetheart, Dr. James C. Summers (Jim) on Sept. 4, 1961. Jim worked for the Department of Interior, and together they traveled the 13 western states and Alaska. They settled in Morgantown while Jim completed his master’s degree after which they moved to Worthington, Ohio, where he completed his PhD in organizational behavior at The Ohio State University. Joan taught business subjects and English at Morgantown High School, as well as Mifflin High School and Worthington High School in Columbus, Ohio. They raised their family in Morgantown, and she and Jim were active in the Beau Monde Dance Club, tennis clubs, and many other community and social endeavors.
Joan and Jim later relocated to Columbia, Mo., where they were actively involved in their church and community, making lasting friends. They enjoyed cheering on the Tigers at University of Missouri basketball games and hosting social and dinner parties. After Jim’s passing in 2000, Joan moved to Canton, Ga., to be closer to family. She made many new and lasting friends in Canton, enjoying life with a gift for lively conversation. She intently followed college football, March Madness and all tennis majors and loved debating sports and politics. She will be dearly missed.
In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Jim; her sister, Mary Louise Fragale; and her brother, Martin Biafora.
She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Janice of St. Louis, Mo., Jeff and Suzanne of Atlanta, Ga., and John and Jennifer of Woodstock, Ga. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren, Austin, John (Emily), Devin, Julie, Wesley, Ryan and Jessica; and by her niece, Louise and Pete Deal of Morgantown; and nephew, Franklin and Pat Fragale of Raleigh, N.C.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John University Parish, 1481 University Avenue, Morgantown, at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, with Fr. Brian Crenwelge as celebrant. An 11:30 a.m. visitation will be held in the Church prior to the Mass. A 1:30 p.m. graveside service will be held at East Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joan Summers to St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church – Building Debt Reduction Fund, 490 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, GA 30188, or St. John University Parish-Mountaineer Catholic Campus Ministry, 1481 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
