Ruth Louise Ward Cummings

Ruth Louise (Ludy) Ward Cummings passed away on Friday, June 8 at the age of 90. She was born in Texarkana, TX on March 2, 1928 to Ava Lallie and Henry Elmer Ward. Known as Louise to her family, she grew up in Texarkana with her parents and eight siblings at 701 Redwater road, the "old home place." The family attended the First Church of the Nazarene, on 8th and Brown Street at that time, and Louise attended Texas High school until the 11th grade. She was married to her husband, J.D. Cummings, for 41 years. The couple eventually moved to Atlanta in 1976 when J.D. retired. Louise was the Assistant Librarian for 11 years at City of Atlanta Public Library, a dream for a book worm, and retired in 1994. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta. Aside from her love of reading, our Aunt Louise (or "Ludy" as nicknamed by her niece Gaynell) loved animals, all nature and cooking. She continued to walk, watch birds, feed stray cats, and work in her yard well into her 70s. Her Chihuahuas (Yani, Tina and Kady) were her "children." When we think of our Aunt Louise, her sense of humor, feisty spirit, and sense of independence will be indelible memories; her cooking will be sorely missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters Pearl Norris, Mary Harper, Winifred Hamm, and Martha Crain; her brothers preceding in death were Earl Ward, Bobby Lee Ward, Orvel Ward, Clarence Ward, and Edward Ward. She is survived by neices: Gaynell Green, Mary Ann Resecker, and Ava Eileen Hensley of Texarkana, Nelda Allen of Trinity, TX, Helen Marks of Houston, and nephews Hal Green of Houston, Dennis Harper and Steve Harper of Texarkana, and Charles and Edward Ward of Tucson, Arizona. She also has many great-nieces and great-nephews. Mrs. Cummings's funeral service will be held Monday, June 18, 10am at First Baptist Church of Atlanta, TX; burial will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery in Atlanta. Visitation will be held Sunday evening, June 17, 5:30-7:30PM, at Hanner Funeral Home in Atlanta. On-line registration is at www.hannerfuneralservice.com.