Gerald Wayne Sumrall

Gerald Wayne Sumrall, 91, of Monticello, passed away peacefully on Sept. 13, 2025. He was born on June 28, 1934, in Jayess to Seth and Cavie Smith Sumrall.

Visitation will be held at Bethel Baptist Church from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Bethel Baptist Church, 73 Bethel Road, Monticello. Burial will follow in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Howard Franklin and Rev. Archie Herrin will officiate. Wilson Funeral Home is overseeing arrangements.

Gerald graduated from Monticello High School and attended Mississippi College. He worked for Jitney in Jackson. He later worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Jackson and became a district manager in New Orleans, La. He and his wife, Peggy, went on to open Sumrall Discount Center, growing a business in his hometown while raising three small children and observing employees evolve into lifelong friends as close as family. They ran a family farm, known as GLB Farm, which he named after the three children he considered to be his pride and joy, his legacy.

Gerald loved God and Bethel church, serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School director, and in numerous roles on a variety of committees over the years. He participated in town and community organizations, and served in many leadership roles. His love and passion for agriculture included cattle, where he served in several local, state, regional, and national organizations. He was honored as Mississippi Cattlemen Association’s Purebred Cattlemen of the Year and inducted into the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Hall of Fame, as well as serving on the International Brangus Breeders Association Board of Directors. As a result of his growing expertise, he developed his own variety of Bermuda grass, known as “Sumrall 007,” which became well-known in the industry, and is now established in 10 states.

He was preceded in death by his father, Seth Sumrall; mother, Cavie Mae Smith Sumrall; sisters, Sybil Alexander (W.P.), Linda Kay Mahaffey (Dutch); brothers Hilton, Doyle (Rena); wife, Peggy McClelland Sumrall; and grandson, Damon Baldwin.

Survivors include his son, Billy Sumrall (Christine); daughters, Gail Sumrall Baldwin (Jimmy), and Lynn Sumrall Bozeman; and brother, Donnie Ray Sumrall. He was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.

Should friends desire, contributions in Gerald’s memory may be sent to the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Foundation for a memorial scholarship.