Opal Cummings

SARASOTA, Florida — Opal Cummings died Aug. 21, 2021, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital at the age of 104. The youngest of five daughters — Allie, Beulah, Mildred, Ethel and Opal – she was born on March 4, 1917, to Andrew and Edna Waters in Walland, Tennessee. Soon after Opal's birth, the family moved to Knoxville and later to Cincinnati, where she met the love of her life, Roy Cummings. They married in 1939 and had three daughters: Caroline (C.J.), Marsha and Deborah (Debby). During World War II, while Roy served in the Army, Opal joined Wrights Manufacturing as a supervisor to aid in the war effort. It was during this time she moved in with her sister Mildred, so that Mildred could watch Caroline and Marsha while Opal worked. After the war, Debby was born and Roy began his corporate career. The family soon moved to Dearborn, Michigan, and in 1959 they moved to Huron, Ohio, where Roy was the plant manager for Ford Motor Company. They joined Plum Brook Country Club, where Opal developed a love of golf and bridge and made long-lasting friendships. Opal valued her family and friends, loved children and created a special bond with each of her eight grandchildren: Julie Pascoe, Kristen Pascoe, Laura Bannister, John Tomlinson ( Deacon), Andrew Tomlinson, David Buckland (Ike), Lucas Buckland and Alexander Buckland. She deeply loved her 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. She always welcomed the friends of her daughters into her home and gave advice freely. She remembered them all to the day she died. After Roy's death in 2001, she sold her home in Huron and lived the rest of her days in Sarasota, Florida, playing golf and bridge atPalm Aire Country Club well into her 90s and finally quitting bridge at 102 when her hearing became difficult. She lived in her own home, loved keeping in touch with friends by phone and welcomed family visits until her last day on Earth. She believed the saying of Abraham Lincoln, "You are only as happy as you make your mind up to be." Opal chose to be happy! She was preceded in death by her husband Roy; her grandson, Deacon Tomlinson; and great-grandson, Austin Kromer. A celebration of life will occur at a later date in Cincinnati. Donations in her name can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or the charity of your choice.