Ladonna Summers

Summers, LaDonna Darlene (Nelson), 76, of Bradenton, passed away August 13, 2024, peacefully at home.

LaDonna was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri October 21, 1947, to Ivan and Marie Nelson. The family included older brother Robert (Bob), soon adding younger sisters Lana and Connie.

They moved to Bradenton in 1959. LaDonna attended Manatee Elementary School and graduated from Southeast High School in 1965, where she was a cheerleader. After high school, LaDonna attended and graduated from Manatee Junior College. During this time, she was a member of the DeSoto Heritage Court. After college she married her high school sweetheart, Steve Summers. Together they had three daughters they adored, Bridget, Shelby and Molly. The family moved many times and they made great friends in every town they called home.

LaDonna was the epitome of a home maker and took great pride in this role. She thoroughly enjoyed attending the girls’ sporting events and volunteering at their schools. She had a heart for serving others, whether it was in church or her long standing service with Adopt-A-Family of Manatee County.

LaDonna cherished her five grandchildren and loved spending time with them; supporting them at their school and sporting events and taking them to the theater. LaDonna was an avid reader and enjoyed daily crossword puzzles. She will be remembered as very generous and fun-loving. Above all else, she was fiercely devoted to her family.

She is survived by daughters Bridget (Jay) Sheffer of Parrish; Shelby (Gary) Salvador of Jacksonville Beach; and Molly (Wade) Jamison of Bradenton; grandchildren Sydney, Katie, Josephine, Stephen and Sadie; brother Bob Nelson of Branford; sister Connie (Lee) Massee of Fitzgerald, GA.; sister-in-law Susie (Frank) Moore of Marietta, GA.; and longtime family friend Debi Smith. LaDonna had several cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends she loved very much.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org), 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York, 10306.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Pier 22, November 2, 2024, at 11:00am, 1200 1 St Ave. W., Bradenton, FL.