Longtime Summerville, Ga., Mayor Sewell Cash dies at 91

Longtime Summerville, Georgia, Mayor Sewell Cash died Sunday morning at his residence.

Cash, 91, was a veteran of the Korean War and retired from General Electric in Rome. He served as the mayor of Summerville for 20 years, from 1978 to 1997, and was a member of the city council for five years before that.

According to an obituary, Cash was a star player for the Summerville High School 1950 basketball state champions and was drafted into the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization for a period of time. He enjoyed golfing and spending time with his family and was a youth league coach for the Summerville Recreation Department. He also helped found the Chattooga County Veterans Memorial Park Committee, which oversees things like the installation of veterans memorials near the holidays.

Cash’s involvement with the military and veterans did not end with his commitment to the memorial park. He was also a 63-year member of the American Legion Post 129, VFW Post 6688 and a 23-year member of American Legion Squadron 129. In 2018, he was given a Quilt of Valor — a handmade quilt given to a service member or veteran who has been touched by war.

Tara Bray, a Summerville resident who grew up attending veterans events with her grandfather, said Cash was dedicated to those he served with and who served after him.

“Some people talk the talk and other people walk the walk,” Bray said. “Mr. Cash walked the walk. He was always at everything. He was just one of those people who loved community.”

Cash is survived by his daughter and sonin-law, Keitha and Doug Shamblin; sons and daughters-in-law, Preston and Lori Cash and Michael and Terry Tucker; grandchildren Tonya (Kevin) Woods, Michelle (David Glenn Sr.), Douglas (Beverly) Shamblin; great-grandchildren Brianna (Tyler) Chastain, Billy Woods, Ben Woods, Mason Shamblin, Cole Shamblin, Kiley May Glenn, David Glenn Jr.; and great-great-granddaughter Georgia Kate Chastain.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Summerville Cemetery with pastors Andy Hutchins, Kevin Woods and Tyler Chastain officiating.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY EARLE RAINWATER FUNERAL HOME Sewell Preston Cash, who led the city of Summerville, Ga., as its mayor for 20 years, died Sunday at 91.