Carol A. Cummins

Carol Cummins was born on June 28, 1950 in the old Mercy Hospital in Hamilton, Ohio. She lived her early years in Fairfield, Ohio then moved out west to Colorado. There she learned to ride horses and gained a life-long love for the outdoors. In her teen years she returned to Ohio and graduated from Fairfield High School.

Carol’s favorite subject in school was English, especially Literature. She was an avid reader who loved science fiction, murder mysteries, and fantasies. She described herself as a solitary person who would rather sit under a tree and read a book or take a ride on a horse through the woods than to join clubs or organizations.

Carol has three sons, twin boys named Wayne and Jason who were born in 1971, and a younger son named Ryan, born in 1972. While they were growing up, Carol worked as a bookkeeper for a small trucking company. She was very involved with her boys’ activities, especially sports like ice hockey and soccer. For about ten years, Carol and her boys lived in the Smoky Mountains where she encouraged them to learn outdoor activities like gardening, woodcutting and fire building. Carol hoped to instill in them a love for the outdoors. They all three grew up to work in the construction industry.

After 1972, Carol became disabled and had to cut back on her working schedule. While continuing to work as a bookkeeper and clerk she chose to work at companies where she could have more control over her hours. Carol enjoyed her four grandchildren, two granddaughters and two grandsons. When her grandson was younger, he liked to call and have her come and get him so they could watch monster movies and eat snacks.

Carol’s parents were a very big part of her life. Her father, who is also deceased, was from Kentucky and loved Appalachian music. He played the guitar and banjo and taught others to play. He was a construction worker and would sometimes bring Carol to work with him, which she loved to do! One of Carol’s fondest memories of her father was his smell, that of cut wood, autumn leaves, and crisp outdoor air. After he retired, he would come to her house every morning for a cup of coffee.

Carol and her mother were close. Her mother, who passed away last year, lived above her in what Carol called her “shotgun” house - a house that goes straight up and straight back, like the barrel of a shotgun! Her mother was a very tender, caring individual whom Carol described as her best friend. Because of Carol’s disability, her mother was very involved in her care.

The most important thing in Carol’s life was her family. She recalled lots of great memories with her grandparents, her parents, her brother, her cousins, her children, and her grandchildren. She described her mother as one of the greatest blessings in her life. As her children, we can echo that statement about her as well. Mom was one of the greatest blessings in our lives. We love you Mom and we will surely miss you.