Florence Cummins
Florence Toney Cummins, age 101, died Nov. 23, 2008.
She was the youngest of eight children born to Waddie Morgan and Ida Johnson Toney in Pine Bluff.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reid Sloan Cummins, who passed away Sept. 2, 1975; by one son, Reid Sloan Cummins Jr., May 25, 1983; and by a grandson, Gordon D. Theis, Feb. 23, 1984. She was also preceded in death by brothers, John Morgan, Frank and Hartell Toney; sisters, Mabel Griffith, Willie Mae Chapman, and Mary Gaunt.
She grew up in Pine Bluff and attended local schools. She also attended Prep School at the University of Arkansas. She was an all-state basketball guard for Pine Bluff's girl's basketball team.
She married Mr. Cummins on June 14, 1928, and they had two children, Reid Jr. and Carolyn (Mrs. Kenneth Theis).
Her heart strings were around her home, her church, and her community.
She served as P.T.A. president of Lakeside School, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, Pine Bluff High School, and the Central Council of the P.T.A. under her leadership. The Lakeside P.T.A. established and furnished Pine Bluff's first teachers' lounge. This was subsequently done at Woodrow Wilson and Pine Bluff High School. At PBHS, the P.T.A. purchased a new curtain and provided scenery and a dressing room for the auditorium. While president of the Central Council she organized a Home and Family Workshop for both black and white schools featuring a nationally prominent speaker, Dr. Jo Robins. She was awarded a lifetime membership to the P.T.A. and was made an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
She was the first woman to serve as chair of the annual Red Cross campaign, and was a member of the Community Chest (now United Way) Council.
She served on the County Equalization Board which investigated property valuation.
She was president of the Woman's Society of Christian Service of First United Methodist Church, and was awarded a Life Membership. She was provided weekly flower arrangements for the altar of the Men's Bible Class for 21 years. She baked cookies for them and gave devotionals based on the liturgical year. She was president of the Roy Custer Bible Class, served on the Board of Stewards, was a Circle Chairperson, and arranged flowers for many church activities. Many people came to look at her beautiful yard every spring, and she loved to take a vase full of lilies to Billy Steed's Grocery Store to share with others.
In 1947, she helped to organize "Teen Town" for students at Pine Bluff High School, and served as one of the trustees.
She was famous for her delicious candy and her recipes are in a number of cook books. She once made candy for President Roosevelt's visit to Arkansas, and he told her it was "the best he ever tasted." Governor Jimmie Noe of Louisiana had her to come to Shreveport to demonstrate candy making on his TV Station KNOE. He also ordered candy for many political friends (including President Roosevelt and General Claire Chenault in China).
In 1950, she was named Pine Bluff's "Mother of the Year." She was a member of the John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Junior Sesame Club, and a former member of the Pine Bluff Junior League.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Ken Theis of Pine Bluff; and four grandchildren, Ellen and husband Mike Nelson of Rogers, Ark., Kelly and wife Ruth Cummins of Clinton, Miss., Toney and wife Colleen Cummins of Vicksburg, Miss., and Kim and husband Jon Noble of Vicksburg.
She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Katherine and Reid Nelson of Rogers, Ark., and Leigh and Meg Cummins of Clinton, Miss. Also, beloved nieces and nephews, and cousin Frances (Mrs. Hamp) Hall of Pine Bluff. The birds and cats at Trinity Village will miss her as well.
The family wishes to thank Brenda Gaddy for her loving care.
A memorial service will be Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Chapel with Rev. David Moseley officiating. Burial will be prior to the memorial service at 12:30 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. A visitation will follow the service at the church.
The family suggests that memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Sixth St., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601; or Trinity Village Inc., 6400 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603.
Florence Toney Cummins, age 101, died Nov. 23, 2008.
She was the youngest of eight children born to Waddie Morgan and Ida Johnson Toney in Pine Bluff.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reid Sloan Cummins, who passed away Sept. 2, 1975; by one son, Reid Sloan Cummins Jr., May 25, 1983; and by a grandson, Gordon D. Theis, Feb. 23, 1984. She was also preceded in death by brothers, John Morgan, Frank and Hartell Toney; sisters, Mabel Griffith, Willie Mae Chapman, and Mary Gaunt.
She grew up in Pine Bluff and attended local schools. She also attended Prep School at the University of Arkansas. She was an all-state basketball guard for Pine Bluff's girl's basketball team.
She married Mr. Cummins on June 14, 1928, and they had two children, Reid Jr. and Carolyn (Mrs. Kenneth Theis).
Her heart strings were around her home, her church, and her community.
She served as P.T.A. president of Lakeside School, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, Pine Bluff High School, and the Central Council of the P.T.A. under her leadership. The Lakeside P.T.A. established and furnished Pine Bluff's first teachers' lounge. This was subsequently done at Woodrow Wilson and Pine Bluff High School. At PBHS, the P.T.A. purchased a new curtain and provided scenery and a dressing room for the auditorium. While president of the Central Council she organized a Home and Family Workshop for both black and white schools featuring a nationally prominent speaker, Dr. Jo Robins. She was awarded a lifetime membership to the P.T.A. and was made an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
She was the first woman to serve as chair of the annual Red Cross campaign, and was a member of the Community Chest (now United Way) Council.
She served on the County Equalization Board which investigated property valuation.
She was president of the Woman's Society of Christian Service of First United Methodist Church, and was awarded a Life Membership. She was provided weekly flower arrangements for the altar of the Men's Bible Class for 21 years. She baked cookies for them and gave devotionals based on the liturgical year. She was president of the Roy Custer Bible Class, served on the Board of Stewards, was a Circle Chairperson, and arranged flowers for many church activities. Many people came to look at her beautiful yard every spring, and she loved to take a vase full of lilies to Billy Steed's Grocery Store to share with others.
In 1947, she helped to organize "Teen Town" for students at Pine Bluff High School, and served as one of the trustees.
She was famous for her delicious candy and her recipes are in a number of cook books. She once made candy for President Roosevelt's visit to Arkansas, and he told her it was "the best he ever tasted." Governor Jimmie Noe of Louisiana had her to come to Shreveport to demonstrate candy making on his TV Station KNOE. He also ordered candy for many political friends (including President Roosevelt and General Claire Chenault in China).
In 1950, she was named Pine Bluff's "Mother of the Year." She was a member of the John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Junior Sesame Club, and a former member of the Pine Bluff Junior League.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Ken Theis of Pine Bluff; and four grandchildren, Ellen and husband Mike Nelson of Rogers, Ark., Kelly and wife Ruth Cummins of Clinton, Miss., Toney and wife Colleen Cummins of Vicksburg, Miss., and Kim and husband Jon Noble of Vicksburg.
She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Katherine and Reid Nelson of Rogers, Ark., and Leigh and Meg Cummins of Clinton, Miss. Also, beloved nieces and nephews, and cousin Frances (Mrs. Hamp) Hall of Pine Bluff. The birds and cats at Trinity Village will miss her as well.
The family wishes to thank Brenda Gaddy for her loving care.
A memorial service will be Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Chapel with Rev. David Moseley officiating. Burial will be prior to the memorial service at 12:30 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. A visitation will follow the service at the church.
The family suggests that memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Sixth St., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601; or Trinity Village Inc., 6400 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603.
Florence Cummins
Florence Toney Cummins, age 101, died Nov. 23, 2008.
She was the youngest of eight children born to Waddie Morgan and Ida Johnson Toney in Pine Bluff.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reid Sloan Cummins, who passed away Sept. 2, 1975; by one son, Reid Sloan Cummins Jr., May 25, 1983; and by a grandson, Gordon D. Theis, Feb. 23, 1984. She was also preceded in death by brothers, John Morgan, Frank and Hartell Toney; sisters, Mabel Griffith, Willie Mae Chapman, and Mary Gaunt.
She grew up in Pine Bluff and attended local schools. She also attended Prep School at the University of Arkansas. She was an all-state basketball guard for Pine Bluff's girl's basketball team.
She married Mr. Cummins on June 14, 1928, and they had two children, Reid Jr. and Carolyn (Mrs. Kenneth Theis).
Her heart strings were around her home, her church, and her community.
She served as P.T.A. president of Lakeside School, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, Pine Bluff High School, and the Central Council of the P.T.A. under her leadership. The Lakeside P.T.A. established and furnished Pine Bluff's first teachers' lounge. This was subsequently done at Woodrow Wilson and Pine Bluff High School. At PBHS, the P.T.A. purchased a new curtain and provided scenery and a dressing room for the auditorium. While president of the Central Council she organized a Home and Family Workshop for both black and white schools featuring a nationally prominent speaker, Dr. Jo Robins. She was awarded a lifetime membership to the P.T.A. and was made an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
She was the first woman to serve as chair of the annual Red Cross campaign, and was a member of the Community Chest (now United Way) Council.
She served on the County Equalization Board which investigated property valuation.
She was president of the Woman's Society of Christian Service of First United Methodist Church, and was awarded a Life Membership. She was provided weekly flower arrangements for the altar of the Men's Bible Class for 21 years. She baked cookies for them and gave devotionals based on the liturgical year. She was president of the Roy Custer Bible Class, served on the Board of Stewards, was a Circle Chairperson, and arranged flowers for many church activities. Many people came to look at her beautiful yard every spring, and she loved to take a vase full of lilies to Billy Steed's Grocery Store to share with others.
In 1947, she helped to organize "Teen Town" for students at Pine Bluff High School, and served as one of the trustees.
She was famous for her delicious candy and her recipes are in a number of cook books. She once made candy for President Roosevelt's visit to Arkansas, and he told her it was "the best he ever tasted." Governor Jimmie Noe of Louisiana had her to come to Shreveport to demonstrate candy making on his TV Station KNOE. He also ordered candy for many political friends (including President Roosevelt and General Claire Chenault in China).
In 1950, she was named Pine Bluff's "Mother of the Year." She was a member of the John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Junior Sesame Club, and a former member of the Pine Bluff Junior League.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Ken Theis of Pine Bluff; and four grandchildren, Ellen and husband Mike Nelson of Rogers, Ark., Kelly and wife Ruth Cummins of Clinton, Miss., Toney and wife Colleen Cummins of Vicksburg, Miss., and Kim and husband Jon Noble of Vicksburg.
She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Katherine and Reid Nelson of Rogers, Ark., and Leigh and Meg Cummins of Clinton, Miss. Also, beloved nieces and nephews, and cousin Frances (Mrs. Hamp) Hall of Pine Bluff. The birds and cats at Trinity Village will miss her as well.
The family wishes to thank Brenda Gaddy for her loving care.
A memorial service will be Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Chapel with Rev. David Moseley officiating. Burial will be prior to the memorial service at 12:30 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. A visitation will follow the service at the church.
The family suggests that memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Sixth St., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601; or Trinity Village Inc., 6400 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603.
Florence Toney Cummins, age 101, died Nov. 23, 2008.
She was the youngest of eight children born to Waddie Morgan and Ida Johnson Toney in Pine Bluff.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reid Sloan Cummins, who passed away Sept. 2, 1975; by one son, Reid Sloan Cummins Jr., May 25, 1983; and by a grandson, Gordon D. Theis, Feb. 23, 1984. She was also preceded in death by brothers, John Morgan, Frank and Hartell Toney; sisters, Mabel Griffith, Willie Mae Chapman, and Mary Gaunt.
She grew up in Pine Bluff and attended local schools. She also attended Prep School at the University of Arkansas. She was an all-state basketball guard for Pine Bluff's girl's basketball team.
She married Mr. Cummins on June 14, 1928, and they had two children, Reid Jr. and Carolyn (Mrs. Kenneth Theis).
Her heart strings were around her home, her church, and her community.
She served as P.T.A. president of Lakeside School, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, Pine Bluff High School, and the Central Council of the P.T.A. under her leadership. The Lakeside P.T.A. established and furnished Pine Bluff's first teachers' lounge. This was subsequently done at Woodrow Wilson and Pine Bluff High School. At PBHS, the P.T.A. purchased a new curtain and provided scenery and a dressing room for the auditorium. While president of the Central Council she organized a Home and Family Workshop for both black and white schools featuring a nationally prominent speaker, Dr. Jo Robins. She was awarded a lifetime membership to the P.T.A. and was made an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
She was the first woman to serve as chair of the annual Red Cross campaign, and was a member of the Community Chest (now United Way) Council.
She served on the County Equalization Board which investigated property valuation.
She was president of the Woman's Society of Christian Service of First United Methodist Church, and was awarded a Life Membership. She was provided weekly flower arrangements for the altar of the Men's Bible Class for 21 years. She baked cookies for them and gave devotionals based on the liturgical year. She was president of the Roy Custer Bible Class, served on the Board of Stewards, was a Circle Chairperson, and arranged flowers for many church activities. Many people came to look at her beautiful yard every spring, and she loved to take a vase full of lilies to Billy Steed's Grocery Store to share with others.
In 1947, she helped to organize "Teen Town" for students at Pine Bluff High School, and served as one of the trustees.
She was famous for her delicious candy and her recipes are in a number of cook books. She once made candy for President Roosevelt's visit to Arkansas, and he told her it was "the best he ever tasted." Governor Jimmie Noe of Louisiana had her to come to Shreveport to demonstrate candy making on his TV Station KNOE. He also ordered candy for many political friends (including President Roosevelt and General Claire Chenault in China).
In 1950, she was named Pine Bluff's "Mother of the Year." She was a member of the John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Junior Sesame Club, and a former member of the Pine Bluff Junior League.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Ken Theis of Pine Bluff; and four grandchildren, Ellen and husband Mike Nelson of Rogers, Ark., Kelly and wife Ruth Cummins of Clinton, Miss., Toney and wife Colleen Cummins of Vicksburg, Miss., and Kim and husband Jon Noble of Vicksburg.
She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Katherine and Reid Nelson of Rogers, Ark., and Leigh and Meg Cummins of Clinton, Miss. Also, beloved nieces and nephews, and cousin Frances (Mrs. Hamp) Hall of Pine Bluff. The birds and cats at Trinity Village will miss her as well.
The family wishes to thank Brenda Gaddy for her loving care.
A memorial service will be Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Chapel with Rev. David Moseley officiating. Burial will be prior to the memorial service at 12:30 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. A visitation will follow the service at the church.
The family suggests that memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Sixth St., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601; or Trinity Village Inc., 6400 Trinity Drive, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603.
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