Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
Shirley Ruth Summers – Dear wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many – passed away peacefully at her home on August 23, 2026, at the age of 87.
Shirley is survived by her daughter Tamara Summers of Antioch, CA; daughter Kimberly Kelley of Pleasant Prairie, WI; son Jon Summers and daughter-in-law Kathleen Summers of Park City, UT; son Jeffrey Summers and daughter-in-law Angela Summers of Bakersfield, CA. She leaves behind her grandchildren and their spouses, including Christopher Schmidt (Silvana), Ashley Carter (Derek), Brandyn Kelley, Camryn Kelley, Jack Summers (Jalin), and Joseph Summers. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, including Jelani Carter, Devin Carter, Derek (DJ) Carter Jr., Ja’Kobe Carter, Saladin Schmidt, Yasmine Schmidt, Alessandro Komul, Kaitlyn Summers, and Jaxon Summers; her siblings Wanda Higginbotham, Helen O’Brien, Patricia Cook, Carse (Junior) Bailey, and Kelly Minor; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Summers, and her parents, John Higginbotham and Bertha Weeks.
Shirley was born in Birmingham, Alabama, where she was raised until making the long journey to Martinez, CA, with her father in 1952. She graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1958 and met the love of her life, Paul Summers, on a beautiful summer day at the Martinez marina. They were married in 1958 and spent 52 years together before Paul’s death in 2010. Shirley and Paul raised their family in Martinez before moving to Antioch, CA, in 1976. In 2000, following Paul’s retirement, they moved to Bakersfield, CA, where they made their home for many years.
Her church and an unwavering faith in God were woven into every part of Shirley’s life. That faith guided her from childhood to the day she died. She was baptized as a young girl in the Warrior River of Alabama, behind a small rural church. Years later, she was proud to show her family that very spot during one of their many cross-country trips to her home state. Shirley was deeply proud of her Southern roots and her childhood upbringing in the countryside of Alabama. Her faith called her to serve, and she did so with pure joy.
Over the decades, she taught young girls to sew, volunteered with Antioch sports organizations, led the Stanford Football parents’ group, and prepared meals for the homeless and children in need. She also volunteered with the Say Yes program of Bakersfield to support after-school programs for vulnerable children, while also caring for many friends and family over the years. Her lifetime of service leaves a lasting impact on everyone she touched.
Shirley departed this life surrounded by the warm embrace of her family and dear friends. She was a loving, compassionate, and caring woman, and we are all comforted knowing she is now resting in peace.
Shirley’s family would like to extend their deepest thanks to her loving caregiver, Deniz Flores, who was by her side every day for the past several weeks. They would also like to thank the caring staff at Hoffman Hospice of Bakersfield for their compassion and support during her final days.
A memorial service will be held for Shirley at Valley Baptist Church – Olive Drive Worship Center (5500 Olive Drive. Bakersfield, CA) on September 17 at 10am (reception to immediately follow the service). Shirley’s Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hoffman Hospice, Valley Baptist Church, or to a charity close to your heart.
