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Director of The Deep South Region |
Mary Summerville grew
up in Montevallo, Alabama. She graduated from the University of
Montevallo earning a degree in pre-med with majors in chemistry,
biology, and physics. She accepted an offer from the National
Polio Foundation to head one of Dr. Jonas Salk’s satellite polio
research laboratories. Being a part of the team to develop a vaccine to
eradicate polio was so rewarding, Mary decided to continue in the field
of medical research. This decision led to an affiliation with
Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, Alabama and a long-time
association with Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Company. She played a
prominent role in the development of the first flu vaccine, a treatment
for herpes simplex, and the Pap smear for early detection of cervical
cancer.
After husband Walter’s real estate career brought them to Fort Payne,
Alabama, Mary studied and became a real estate broker. Today, she is an
active partner in the business. She is a Certified Residential Broker,
Real Estate Instructor licensed by the Alabama Real Estate Commission,
Professional Standards Instructor certified by the National Association
of REALTORS, chaired the State and National Education Committees
writing many of the new agent training courses. In 1987, in
recognition for her contributions to the real estate industry, Mary was
selected REALTOR-Of-The-Year.
In 1985, Mary joined the Fort Payne Garden Club; and, has held all offices and many chairmanships. She has achieved the Landscape Design Consultants designation. She serves as Associate Editor and Business Manager for Hortensia, the state publication. During her 2003-2005 tenure as President of The Garden Club of Alabama, Inc., a record amount of money was raised for the Scholarship Endowment Fund at Auburn University. |
