Grace Weeks Cummings

Grace passed away on December 4, 2016, until the end leaning on her strong Christian faith, loving her family and living up to the beautiful first name that fit her so well.

Grace was born on June 14, 1935, in Clinton in eastern North Carolina, the youngest of David and Della Weeks’ two children. Grace had to rise above heartbreak from an early age, losing her father when she was just 12 years old. She went off to Appalachian State University, where she got more than a B.S. degree in education: A majorette in the marching band, she met and married R.E. Cummings, a captain on the football team, in 1954.

They began life together in her hometown of Clinton, where Grace and R.E. both taught and coached at the high school. Grace took charge of the girls’ basketball team. In 1964, R.E. was named head football coach at Garinger High School in Charlotte, where they put down roots with their three young children. Grace taught health and physical education at Cochrane Junior High before moving into real estate, working in sales and accounting for Coldwell Banker and Helen Adams Realty. She retired in 2008. Like his wife, R.E. also moved from coaching and teaching to enjoy a successful career in real estate. Tragically, he died at age 48, after 28 years of a happy marriage, leaving Grace to find the strength to carry on. She forever cherished memories of life with R.E., even as she built a life of contentment on her own.

Grace is survived by three children – Kim Wertz (Barry Horne) of Pageland, S.C.; Diane Walsh of Raleigh; and Bill Cummings and his wife, Rose, of Lake Wylie, S.C. She is survived as well by seven grandchildren who meant everything to her – Eric and Adam Wertz, Sarah and Evan Walsh, Stefanie Reed and Hannah and Caroline Cummings; one great-granddaughter, Cheyanne Wertz; her brother, Bert Weeks and his wife, Janice, of Winston-Salem; a sister-in-law, Bettie Holcomb, of Wilmington; five nieces and two nephews; and many dear friends. She also adored the six children who belonged to her late first cousin, Florence Beretich, whom she treated as beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, R.E., and her son-in-law, Greg Walsh.

A service to celebrate her life will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7, at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road. Visitation follows in Jubilee Hall.

A gift to celebrate Grace Cummings’ life can be made to the charity of one’s choice. McEwen Funeral Home is taking care of the family.

Grace was deeply grateful for the love and care shown by family and friends, and by those who helped her deal as best she could with cancer: Dr. Sridhar Pal, Dr. Benjamin Kirk (her long-time personal physician), the infusion technicians at Levine Cancer Institute-Ballantyne and the nurses at Levine and Dickson Hospice House, who offered such incredible warmth. What a lovely life of quiet strength she led.

Grace adored her family first and foremost. She loved her church, Myers Park United Methodist, especially the music and volunteering to check people in at the Wednesday night supper. What a great opportunity to chat with friends! She appreciated her many friends, including several close relationships with neighbors at Sharon View Place, and cherished the time she spent with all of them.

The Tar Heel “shrine” in the dining room of her townhome spoke of her passion for Carolina blue, inspired by their daughter Diane graduating from UNC Chapel Hill in 1982. That’s the year the Tar Heels won the national championship in basketball, of course! Grace was proud of her Tar Heel memorabilia, especially the letter from men’s basketball coach Roy Williams and a signed book from women’s basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell, both cheering her on in her battle with cancer.

Cancer never scared Grace. She stopped treatments after they failed to halt the spread of the disease. Free from the ill effects of chemo, she chose to savor the days she had left, in a life that rose above the losses. Her family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbors who showed their love and support in so many important and meaningful ways throughout her life and especially these last eight months.

McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park is honored to be entrusted with the care of Grace and her family. A complete obituary may be viewed and online condolences may be shared with the family at www.mcewenfs.com .