Mark Summerall

AIKEN, SC – MARK SUMMERALL, 50, passed away unexpectedly, Monday, August 9, 2021 at his residence.  Born in Greenville, SC, Mark was the son of Henry Summerall, Jr., and the late June Love Smith Summerall.

Mark had an empathetic heart full of love for people and for his beloved pets, and he had a passion for learning and teaching. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in rhetoric at the University of South Carolina. He taught freshman English and other courses for many years at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC, where he also served as the Faculty Supervisor of the Writing Center. Most recently he was an editor at the Al-Anon flagship monthly publication, The Forum, in charge of globally distributed editions in English, French, and Spanish.  He had a deep appreciation for Southern literature and had written several short stories and other compositions, including an essay published in the Al-Anon magazine. Mark was a leader and trusted friend in Al-Anon, a community in which he found much solace and healing for more than 30 years.

He is survived by his father, Henry Summerall, Jr.; his step-mother, Martha McCormick Summmerall; his sister, Anne Margaret Summerall Poplin, and brother-in-law, David Poplin; his niece, Grace Poplin Altman, and her spouse, Raylyn Altman; his nephew, Henry David McDougald “Mac” Poplin; his step-niece, Tiffany Poplin Phillips; his aunt, Jeannie Smith Mitchell; his cousins, Kenneth Mitchell and Michelle Mitchell Hitt; his aunt, Linda Smith Holt; his cousins Taylor Holt Wlodarcak, Courtney Holt Ezerzer and Wayne Summerall and many loved ones in his Al-Anon family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, June Love Smith Summerall.

A memorial service will be held Thursday afternoon, August 19th at 4 o’clock at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home with The Rev. Phillip Lee officiating  Interment will be at a later date in Historic Bethany Cemetery  

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mark’s memory to the SPCA or FOTAS. Family and loved ones who are not Al-Anon members may want to consider a one-time “Memorial Contribution” to support the continued work of this organization.

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC