Rosa Tarbutton Sumter 89C

Director
Sandersville Railroad Company
Atlanta, Georgia

Rosa Tarbutton Sumter is a third-generation Emory alumna. A native of Sandersville, Georgia, she graduated from Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and obtained a BA in history and art history from Emory. After an eight-year career in marketing at Norfolk Southern Corporation, she retired to become a full-time mother and an active community volunteer and philanthropist. Among her volunteer roles was serving as chair of the annual fund at Trinity School and the Schenck School. She also has served as a volunteer for Holy Innocents' Episcopal School and the Galloway School.

A member of Cherokee Garden Club since 2011, Sumter has been on its executive board since 2015, has cochaired its Programs and Horticulture committees, and previously served as recording secretary. Since 2014, Sumter has been involved with the National Charity League, a mother-daughter philanthropic organization focused on providing outreach to Atlanta nonprofits such as Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Agape Youth and Family Center, City of Refuge, and Buckhead Christian Ministry.

Sumter is a member of the board of directors of the Sandersville Railroad Company, her family's 125-year-old short-line railroad. A member of the Emory College Alumni Board since 2013, she previously served on its Development Committee and as an "All in a Day" ambassador.

A resident of Atlanta, Sumter is married to F. Neal Sumter III and has two children, Sadye and Fritz. She is a longtime member of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.

She was elected trustee in 2018.