Gene Fay Summers, fondly known as "Woodpecker," entered eternal rest on Saturday, September 13, 2025, after a health battle and hospital stay.  He was 77 years old.

Gene was born on February 27, 1948, in Rutherfordton, N.C. and later became a resident of Hampton, VA. He spent more than 60 years in the Buckroe area.  He took pride in his job as a Welding Foreman at Newport News Shipbuilding and retired in 2009 after more than 40 years on the job.

As a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Gene displayed love and devotion.  He treasured spending time with his family and friends, ensured his squirrels were fed daily, and his lottery tickets were checked often.

Gene was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Bessie D. Summers, his older brother, Francis Ronald Summers, and his identical twin, with whom he shared an extraordinary bond, Dean Ray Summers.  His immediate survivors include wife, Rita; sons, Ryan (Marisa); William; and Matthew (Catherine); sister, Linda Seely (David); sister-in-law Terri; grandchildren, Laila, Thomas, Maddox, and Lucas; nieces Pam Withrow (George), Lisa Summers (Matthew), Michelle Duffy (Christopher), and his nephew Michael.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home on Friday, September 19, 2025. A celebration of Gene's life will begin at 12 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park.

In Gene's memory and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Animal Aid Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.