Hershal Lamont Summers, 74, affectionately known as "Hercules", or "Herck", was born to the late Hallie Lee Summers, Jr. and the late Frances Moore Summers in Winston-Salem, NC on March 2, 1949. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Jerome Summers, Sr.

Hershal attended Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and graduated from North Forsyth Senior High School. He furthered his studies at Forsyth Technical College where he received certification as a detention officer through the Continuing Education Program.

An entrepreneur, he was the owner and operator of Summers Recycling. He was a veteran of the United States Army and retired from the Army Reserves after a total of 25 years. Later he was employed by Vernon Produce Company and the city of Winston-Salem as a refuse driver before his retirement.

Hershal was an avid car enthusiast after being raised around cars all his life. He shared this love with many of his friends including James Hauser, Jr. and Wayne Vernon. Model cars, large and small, occupy the den of the home. He was also able to restore his brother Jerry's 1973 Corvette and took much pride in the job he had done. Lovingly, he passed the Corvette on to his brother, Cecil and his Lexus to his brother, Bobby. He also had a collection of the California Raisins figurines of which he was also most proud.

Hershal joined Bethania AME Zion Church under the pastorate of Rev. Alvin Damon in January of 2000. He was a member of the Senior Usher Board, the Gospel Choir, the Men's Booster Club. In the community, he was a member of the Good Neighbor Community Club and on the Board for the restoration of the Historic Oak Grove School. He volunteered with The National Black Theatre Festival. Above all, he was a loving son, husband, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Surviving are his devoted and loving wife of 24 years, Natalie Kimbrough Summers; two daughters he helped raise, LaTasha Couser and Bernae Couser; a son, Lewis Shawn Small (deceased); grandchildren, Redric, Favour, Kinaya and Nautica Couser, Amani Miller, Sincere Small and Jawon Hunter; brothers, Hallie Lee Summers (Grace), Rev. Douglas Summers (Pam), Bobby Summers (Olivia), Cecil Summers (Robin), Kenneth Summers, Dennis Summers (Denise); sisters, Shirley Lowery (Edward), Connie Mack, Sharon Jones (Tracy); sisters-in-law, Phyllis K. Baldwin (Tom) of Huntersville, NC, Lottie Lorene King Kimbrough of Martinsville, VA, Portia Summers of Winston-Salem, NC; brother-in-law, Matthew C. Allen of Nep-tune, NJ; a devoted cousin, Edward Summers; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 13, 2024 in the chapel of Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. The family will greet friends thirty-minutes to service. Interment in Salisbury National Cemetery.

For a copy of funeral program click here