On May 12, 2026, Brenda Eileen (Keck) Summers, age 69 of Lee’s Summit, MO, lost her fight with cancer and finished her earthly chapter of life. As she turned the page into eternity, her final appointment was with her Great Physician, Jesus Christ, and we rejoice knowing that cancer treatments are done, complete healing has come, and heaven just got a little more joyful and beautiful because Brenda is there.
Brenda was the youngest of two daughters born to Leroy and Rosezella Keck (Waugh) on March 30, 1957 and lived her entire life in the Kansas City area. She grew up in the small-town suburb of Lone Jack, MO where she proudly cherished her pet raccoons. Despite having no running water until third grade and periods of time with no television in the house as a teenager, she still managed to excel in school where she graduated valedictorian of Lone Jack High School’s class of 1975. It was also during high school that she met the first and only love of her life, Raytown South swim team captain, Ronny Summers.
After high school, Brenda attended Central Missouri State University (now UCM), where she obtained an Associate of Science degree in secretarial studies. Shortly before her graduation, Brenda joined Ronny in marriage on February 26,1977. That same year, they also recorded a gospel music album in Irving, Texas and were periodically invited to sing at various churches or events. After a brief time of renting, Brenda and Ronny built a house and settled in Lee’s Summit, MO where they began to build a family with their two kids, Adam and Heather. Throughout her career, Brenda held secretarial positions at various companies including Hallmark Cards and the Kids Country before and after care program with Lee’s Summit School District.
For Brenda, her faith in Jesus was not simply a part of her life; it was the central theme for everything she did and her sole desire was to love others like Jesus and point them to Him. Brenda gave her life to Jesus when she was only 10 years old at a Lake of the Ozarks summer church camp. Throughout adulthood, Brenda was always actively involved in her church, including Abundant Life church where Brenda and Ronny have attended and served in many volunteer ministry roles since 2012. Brenda never hesitated to go the extra mile to give a ride, make a meal, babysit kids, clean a house, or spend an exorbitant amount of money just to make a memory that would last a lifetime.
Certainly, we will miss the familiar sight of Brenda reading her Bible at the kitchen table each morning or watching “The Chosen.” Yet, we are also grateful that after living a life of quiet sacrificial service, motherhood, and nearly 50 years of faithful marriage, Brenda has shown us all what it means to serve and love like Jesus.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents Leroy and Rosie Keck, and her grandson Nolan Summers. She is survived by her husband Ronny Summers; sister Kathy Bowers (Billy); son Adam Summers (Amy), daughter Heather Atkinson (Chris); and grandchildren Taygan Summers, Delaney Summers, Eli Atkinson (Sena), Ean Atkinson, Brinley Atkinson, Avery Atkinson, and Addisyn Atkinson.
Visitation Wednesday, May 20 from 9:30-11am at Abundant Life Admin Building 414 SW Persels Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO. Funeral service to follow at 11am. Burial service at Floral Hills East cemetery in Lee’s Summit, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Abundant Life “In honor of Brenda Summers.”
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441