Ila Leo Orrell Cummings

Mrs. Ila Leo Orrell Cummings, age 83 of the Latimer Community, passed away at 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Biloxi Regional Hospital after a long battle with Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease. Mrs. Cummings was a lifetime resident of the Latimer Community, except for a two year period when she and her husband were stationed at Itazuke AFB, Japan. She was employed at Keesler AFB, retiring in 1984 after 33 years of service. She married Avery Bryon Cummings in 1951, and they remained married for 61 years. The greatest joy in her life was her three children, her five grandchildren, of course her dog, George and her many plants and flowers. She wore out two vehicles picking up grandchildren after school and transporting them to all types of sporting and school events. She loved doing things for her kids and grandkids and others. She was one of the first modern women who raised a family and maintained a professional career and did both with such ease. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her father, Mr. Leo Orrell and her mother, Mrs. Estelle Cruthirds Walden Orrell; three brothers, Wyatt “Slats” Walden, Elwood Walden and Otis Walden; and one sister, Mrs. Eula Walden Cook. She is survived by her husband, Avery “Bill” Cummings; two sons, Stanley “Butch” (Betty Ann) Cummings and Henry “Hank” Cummings; daughter, Suzanne “Suzy” Cummings ( Kenneth) Humphrey; and five grandchildren, Avery James Cummings, Stanley Kyle Cummings, Ethan Louis Humphrey, Morgan Lee Cummings and Amy Marie Humphrey Gibson. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mississippi Chapter, 1900 Dunbarton Dr., Suite H, Jackson, MS 39216, the American Diabetes Association, 350 W. Woodrow Wilson Dr., Suite 2470, Jackson, MS 39213 or to just do something nice for someone. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with an 11:00 a.m. service on Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. A private burial will follow.