Nell Ward Cummings

Nell Elizabeth Ward was born July 26, 1920, at home in Shiloh, Kentucky, the daughter of Virgil and Edna Ward. Growing up, Nell attended Shiloh Methodist Church, and while a teenager, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior there. Later she was baptized.

Nell first came to Memphis in 1939 and joined Central Church a few years later, in 1945. It was an important decision in more ways than one. First, Central was where she wanted to put down her spiritual roots, and second, it was where she met her lifelong sweetheart, George Cummings. Central Church was not far from the Methodist Hospital. Nell was part of a group of student nurses from the Methodist School of Nursing who would walk together to Sunday evening services. Nell remembered that George said, “There was one girl in the group that caught my eye—she was pretty. I guess you could say it was love at first sight. I just fell in love with her.” It was true for years that George never fell out of love with Nell.

The feeling was mutual. They were engaged. On December 5th, two days before Pearl Harbor, George received his notice to go into the Army. Before George went into the Army Air Corps in January 1942, Nell finished nurses training and graduated later in the year with an RN degree with special training in surgery. Knowing that George would be sent overseas, they decided to get married if she could get to Florida where he was stationed before he left. Nell made it to Florida, and they were married on July 9, 1943. Nell became Mrs. George Cummings.

George spent the next two and a half years overseas and then came home and was discharged in December 1945. Nell was so glad to have George home. When Nell and George married, Nell had not done much cooking. Nell learned how to cook on George. He admitted many times that she showed much improvement during their married life and became a great cook. George said, “I don’t recall her ever putting anything on the table that I would not eat.” Her son-in-law says, “She makes the best-fried chicken and buttermilk pies around.”

After the war, when George came back to Memphis, Nell, and Central Church. Nell and George were very active members at Central and served in a variety of areas. George taught junior high boys’ class, served on the Church Deacon Board, helped plant new churches, and served on several committees such as the finance committee and the building committee. Eventually, he was made a Church Elder, a position he held for many years. He taught the Senior Adults Sunday School class while Central Church was located at Poplar and Kirby and after the move to Kirby Parkway and Winchester. Bad health caused him to retire from teaching the class in 1996. Nell taught the second grade Sunday School class with Elsie McCluney for 25 years. She was active in the Missionary Society, made countless home visitations, and as did many of the women of the church, helped cook and serve church family dinners.

Joy came into their lives when Nell and George adopted Phyllis, and again a few years later when they adopted Betty. Holidays became such wonderful times. Both Phyllis and Betty married, and grandchildren came (Terri Ann, Philip Lee, Patrick Edward, and Taylor Andrew, children of Phyllis and Terry Burnside). Nell loved to see her grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren (Hallie Wade Mealer, daughter of Terri and Wade Mealer, and Wyatt Lee Burnside, son of Philip and Melissa Burnside). Betty also married Bart Wilkinson.

Later in their married life, George became homebound and unable to attend church; they stayed connected through visits from church friends. “We remain active in our prayers for Central Church and for its spiritual growth,” said Nell. Nell took care of George in such a loving and kind way over many years. Nell was lovely, kind, sweet, and thoughtful to all. In 2005, George and Nell celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They have given their two daughters, a heritage to be proud of. It is a legacy of reverence for the Lord, devotion to each other and their family, and dedication to their church. George died in January of 2006. Nell moved from their home in Memphis to an apartment next to Central Church. She later moved to The Pointe at Kirby Gate in March of 2013. She then moved into a brand-new facility Harbor Chase in 2020. She is greatly loved by family and friends. Nell died July 6, 2022, at the age of 101, twenty days before her 102nd birthday. We celebrate her life. She is with Jesus!

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022 beginning at 9:15 AM, at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue with the funeral service to follow beginning at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Central Church.