Robert Henry Sumlin was born on October 2, 1954 to Horace Little and Mary Sumlin. Robert was forced to deal with untimely deaths at an early age with the passing of his sister, Mary Ann Sumlin and his father, Horace Little. Robert overcame those obstacles by being vibrant and strong and never letting anything keep him down.

Robert moved to Atlanta, Georgia at the age of twenty-four with his mother and stepfather to start a career working with his stepfather, Jimmie Ray Hanks. Robert lived a spontaneous life, full of energy and always on the go, and never being burdened down. He would generously give his time and possessions to help anyone, leaving them with a smile, a laugh, and a funny joke or doing something funny to make them laugh.

Robert loved horses and would train them. His love for horses was so strong, that at times he would draw pictures of them.

He was preceded in death by: his father, Horace Little; his brothers, John Wayne Hawkins and James Blake; his sisters, Mary Ann Sumlin and Sharon Ann Sumlin.

Robert departed his life on February 10, 2021 after making peace with God through repenting and asking forgiveness in his acknowledgement. He leaves to cherish his loving memory: his mother, Mary Sumlin of East Point, Georgia; two brothers, Jimmie (Lecia) Hanks of College Park, Georgia and Rodney Blake of Anniston, Alabama; one sister, Rita Sumlin of Kennesaw, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews and other loved ones who loved him dearly