Christine Anne Cummins

April 23, 1959 – February 12, 2018

Chris was born to Max Herman Riley and Marjorie Carol Barraclough April 23, 1959 in North Platte Nebraska. She was the youngest of five children. Her father had retired as a US Navy CPO and was working in the Union Pacific locomotive repair shop when the facility was closed because of the new diesel engines. The home her father had constructed was taken by the Federal Government with the rest of the homes on the block to construct a new post office in 1964. Her parents decided to move to California for better opportunities. Her mother worked days and her father worked swing shift but Chrissy always lovingly remembered the fun times getting ice cream cones, going shopping at the Navy Exchange, and to the movies with her parents and siblings. Chris said she loved her grandmother and would spend time with her brushing her hair and watching baseball on television. She attended Pennekamp, Manhattan Heights Elementary schools, and Foster A. Begg Jr. High in Manhattan Beach California. Her report cards indicate she was social, happy, and chatty. These characteristics she successfully maintained her entire life. Her sister Patricia married when Chris was young and her oldest brother Michael went off to the Marine Corps and Vietnam. Chris attended Aviation High School and met a lot of friends that she still has maintained contact with to this day including her best friend Heidi Hitchborn. Chris was active at school in sports, and yearbook staff. Chris loved the school environment a love of people and education that she maintained her entire life. Chris’s father tragically passed away in 1975 her sophomore year. Her youngest brother Walter took her under his wing and taught her beer drinking, beach volleyball, and camping in Mexico and at the Kern River the fun life that Walt enjoyed until his passing. She was Walt’s kid sister so every one kept a close eye on her. She graduated Aviation High School in 1977. Chris had saved money working and her and her girlfriends went on a graduation summer trip to Europe sleeping in youth hostels and seeing all the sights. Her favorite places were on the beaches of Greece. It was quite an adventure and gave her a lot of lifetime memories. Chris went to Jennifer and Mike McFarland’s wedding in 1978 and met Andy Cummins. Chris and Andy were married seven months later by Reverend Calhoun Nov 25, 1978 at Manhattan Beach Community Church. They have four children Justin, Christopher, Amanda, and Sara. The family attended Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach. Andy’s work took her family to Kingman Arizona where they raised their young family. Chris mother Marjorie and her aunt and uncle Mercedes and Walter Buchannon soon followed them to Kingman. One of Chris’s favorite times was Thanksgiving where the family and her friends would all gather sometimes with as many as thirty five people. Chris was once honored with Arizona State Senator John Wettaw’s friendship at one of her Thanksgiving dinners. Chris’s family attended Grace Lutheran Church in Kingman. She joked that her children were baptized in the Pope’s hot tub. Ed and Vicky Pope that is, with Pastor Steve Bergeson performing a non typical Lutheran full immersion baptism according to Chris’s wishes. Pastor Steve also officiated a ten year renewal of wedding vows ceremony. Christine was a substitute teacher and served two terms on the Kingman Elementary School Board, another duty she loved, stepping down when they moved to Big Creek Ca. Chris was in the LA Times Aug 11, 1997 when a train had gone off the tracks telling everyone how the Kingman community was there to help and what a positive place it was. Chris was active in Kingman in recreational volleyball, softball, her social sorority, and was an active member of Kingman High School’s Operation Prom Grad that she chaired one year. She raised her children, worked, and attended Mohave Community College graduating with an associate degree. In 2000 the family moved to Big Creek California for work at the SCE hydro facility. Chis immediately started substitute teaching at Sierra High School and later became the Native American Liaison helping her band succeed in their life and high school careers. This was another job she loved very much and was very proud of her students and their accomplishments. Chris worked part time as a waitress at the Sierra House and drove for the first time in a blizzard this raised her confidence level to new heights. She loved her little house up in the forest for two years. Driving around in the forest cutting firewood and watching hummingbirds on her front porch were her favorite pastimes. Her mother became ill so the family moved back to be near her. Chris’s mother moved in with them and Chris took care of her mother for six years until one month before her mothers passing. Chris was a substitute teacher at Basic High School for ten years and was later hired as a Special Education Assistant scheduling meetings and tracking student needs. For fifteen years she has loved Basic High and the teachers and students. She had chosen to live near Basic High School because after observing sports activities in the area she felt that the teachers, parents, and students, were more like her than at any other place. She wanted her girls to go to a school that seemed real and positive to her.

Christine is survived by her husband, Andy. Her children, Justin, Christopher, and Sara. Five grandchildren, Ryan, Tyler, Harper, Booker, and Faith. Her brother Michael and sisters Patricia and Roberta.

We miss her smile and caring love so much.

Celebration of life will be held at the Palm Mortuary Chapel Henderson NV April 21, 2018 at 10 AM.