For Helen and Clay Summerford, Bridgewater has become the place where family, faith, and everyday life come together. The couple has lived in the neighborhood for nearly 10 years after an unexpected series of events led them there. "We ended up selling our house to some close friends while we were on vacation in Cabo," Helen said. The move brought them to Bridgewater, where they found a neighborhood that fit their family's lifestyle.

Originally from Jackson, the Summerfords appreciate the location of their community and the opportunities it provides for spending time together. "We love the convenience of being close to both Jackson and Madison while still enjoying the peaceful, secluded atmosphere of the neighborhood," Helen said. The neighborhood has become the backdrop for many family activities. "Living here has brought our family closer together; we frequently spend our time walking the trails, fishing, riding bikes, and enjoying the quiet surroundings," she said.

The Summerfords recently celebrated 28 years of marriage. Their story began the summer after their freshman year of college when they met at a party at the home of one of Helen's friends from Jackson Preparatory School. At the time, Clay was attending Mississippi State University while Helen was enrolled at the University of Mississippi. "We dated for three years starting at age 19," Helen shared. A year after they met, Clay transferred to Ole Miss, where the couple continued building the relationship that eventually led to marriage.

Helen serves as a D Group leader at Christ United Church, where she meets with a group of girls during the school year. "I enjoy being with all my special girls every Wednesday," she said. Clay also volunteers with the older boys' group at the church whenever he is in town.

Professionally, Helen balances several roles. She works part time at LeFleur Interiors in Jackson, has a satellite booth at Sugar Magnolia in Oxford, Mississippi, and owns D Squared in Nashville, Tennessee. Clay serves as a regional sales manager for Calyxo, Inc., and his work takes him throughout the Southeast, including Alabama, Mississippi, parts of Texas, and Florida.

The Summerfords have three sons whose interests and accomplishments keep the family busy. Their oldest son, Alex, is 23. He recently completed his Master of Accountancy at the University of Mississippi, passed the CPA exam, and will begin working for Deloitte in Nashville in early October. Their middle son, Louis, will be a senior at Ole Miss, where he is majoring in computer science and engineering. During the summer, he is completing an internship with Ergon. Youngest, John Clayton, recently celebrated his 12th birthday and will be a rising sixth grader at Jackson Academy. He enjoys soccer, fishing, boating, and spending time with friends.

One family story stands out as especially memorable. On Halloween night, Helen and Clay learned they were expecting their third son. "We found out on Halloween night that Helen was pregnant with our third boy," Clay shared. At the time, their older sons were 10 and 11 years old, Helen had recently lost her mother, and she was 37 years old. "Surprised was an understatement, but it has been the best thing to ever happen to our family," Clay said. The Summerford household also includes two dogs. Archie, a 5-year-old Goldendoodle, and Millie, a black Havanese, round out the family. "Millie is the only other girl in our family," Helen said.

Outside of work and school, the family enjoys spending time together whenever possible. They regularly attend Ole Miss sporting events and spend time at their home in Bay St. Louis. "We love the water and spending time on the boat and going out to the islands," Helen said. Their three sons are devoted Arsenal supporters, so watching Premier League soccer has become a family tradition. They also make time each Fourth of July to travel to North Carolina to visit Clay's parents.

Whether they are walking the trails in Bridgewater, serving through their church, cheering on Ole Miss, spending time on the water, or gathering with family, the Summerfords have built a life centered on relationships. After nearly a decade in Bridgewater, they continue to value the neighborhood that has given them a place to grow together while remaining close to the people and places that matter most.