Gwendolyn Francine Summers

February 16, 1945 - May 19, 2026

Gwendolyn Francine Sherman was born February 16, 1945, the only child of Frances Inez Summers.  Gwennie, as lovingly called by many, peacefully entered eternal rest on May 19, 2026, from Abigail House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Camden NJ.

Gwen was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and resided there for most of her adult life.  Her elementary and early education was in the Philadelphia school system; however, her high school years were attended at Downingtown Private School in Downingtown, PA.

Gwen was well known and loved in her neighborhood and everywhere she frequented. Well known for her upbeat, outgoing, and bold personality. The room was always charged and full of life when she was in it, she was a social butterfly. Her bright smile, joyful spirit, and caring ways caused people to be drawn. She genuinely cared for her family and friends. Her desire was to help in any way that she possibly could. Her presence was always electric and magnetic. She commanded attention with her free spirit, infectious laugh, and quick-witted humor. Gwen was always fun. One of her favorite things to do was dance. If there was a dance floor near her and the DJ was playing one of her songs, she was sure to own the dance floor every time. She knew how to have a good time. She grew up in the Motown era loving soulful rhythm and blues music. A few of her favorite artists were Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and many other Motown favorites.

She was also known for telling it like it is! Always unapologetically HERSELF and was never concerned or threatened by what others thought.

Gwen was a survivor; nothing was able to keep her down in life.  She always found a way to rise to the top of any situation she found herself in.  Her most cherished years and moments of her life were spent loving, caring for, and helping her family in any way possible.  Her love for her children, grandchildren, and great grands was fierce.  Nothing brought her greater joy in life than them.  The best expressions of her love and skills came through her cooking, crocheting, and card playing. She was an avid pinochle player.  Also, she loved scary movies, picnicking, swimming, water games, circle the word books, and going to family events where she could just be in the midst of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Her home fries, potato salad, and fried chicken were second to none and will be solely missed. She loved family and was the true rock and Matriarch of the family.

According to her, the triumph of her life came in around 2001, when she surrendered her heart and life to Jesus Christ.  She was overjoyed and couldn't get enough of the bible.  She was always moved by spiritual music, teachings of the bible, and Biblical movies. Her favorite gospel artists were Mahalia Jackson and Shirley Caesar. She enjoyed listening to sermons from various ministers of the Gospel and spent time growing in the spirit and learning how to pray for her family.

In 2011, she began having significant health related issues that caused her to require full-time assistance at Abigail House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she resided until she departed this life.  There she continued to thrive and brought her infectious personality, humor and wit to residents and staff. She was loved and respected there by many and made bonding and lasting friendships.

She was preceded in death by her mother Frances Inez Summers, three aunts, Anna Scott, Mary Wright, and Edna Harper. Cousins Edward Scott and Lillian Coaxum. Two beloved sons Darryl Lawrence Sherman and David Summers Sr.

Gwen will be greatly cherished and missed by her surviving cousins Rita Scott, Reverend Melvin Wright (Deborah), Kristen and Madison Wright. Her two loving daughters, Lynn Rogers and Marilyn Ancrum and son-in-law, Daniel Ancrum the III.

She had ten grandchildren, David Summers Jr. (Nydirah), Martisha Ann Summers, Donnell William Ancrum, Danita Lynn Ancrum, (Yusef) Donald Tyre Ancrum, Donnell Eli Ancrum, Denzel Allen Sherman, Briana LaNia Henry (Devon) Karl Wayne Rogers Jr, Kalynn Jasmine Rogers. She had sixteen great grandchildren, Iyanna Sade Ancrum, Daniel Douglas Ancrum, Donnell Saleem Ancrum, Leila Mone't Ancrum, Djón Summers, Donyuae Johnson, Janya Ja'nai Summers, Aleena Ann Summers, Aleisya Lolita Summers,  Le'Vion Allen Sherman, Ezra Mateo Sherman, Lailani Cecilia Sherman, Devon Eric Henry,  Desean Brian Henry, Amirah Rose Henry, and a host of extended family and friends extending all the way to Florida.

Celebration of the life of Gwendolyn Francine Summers

will be held on Saturday July 11, 2026 at 1:00 pm

GENESIS NEW BEGINNING IN CHRIST, C.O.G.I.C.

821 S 8th Street

CAMDEN, NJ 08103

856-342-8111

Founder/Pastor: Elder Earnell Steed Jr.

Memories and condolences may be shared @ancscremation.com