HOWARD E. CUMMINS

Howard E. Cummins of Norton VA died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes on September 5, just a few weeks shy of his 98th birthday.  He will be remembered fondly by a legion of friends, fans and family as a kind mentor, charming colleague, devoted teacher, accomplished author, champion of Appalachian culture and, most importantly, a dedicated family man – his and yours. 

The last living member of his immediate family, Howard was pre-deceased by his parents, Pearl Davis and Lawrence W. Cummins, beloved sister Blanch Cummins, and brothers Ralph, Jack, and Brownie Cummins.  Howard was a bachelor with a lifelong devotion to his surviving sisters-in-law, Carolyn Cummins and Anita Cummins, his nieces and nephews – Catherine Cummins, Carol Morley, Charles Cummins (deceased), Chris Cummins, Claudia Knapp, Cecilia Lasyone, Cynthia Cummins, Ralph Stuart Cummins, Janet Shaw, and Karen Cox – and their many children.  Howard will be particularly missed by his friend and caregiver, Melissa Hill, and the many students and family he nurtured intellectually and financially throughout his life.

Born in Dunbar VA in 1926, Howard lived a remarkable life of service.  Following the death of his father in 1938, he moved with his family to “Tiny Timbers” in the “Cracker’s Neck” area of Big Stone Gap VA.  He graduated from East Stone Gap High School, served honorably in the US Navy at the end of WWII, and attended Lincoln Memorial University, graduating with a BA in Science and English.  

A true “renaissance man” who moved comfortably and knowledgably from science to literature, Howard began his distinguished teaching career at East Stone Gap before a three-year sabbatical to work for the Foote Mineral Company, an experience that was a source of many insights into the conflict between the business of the mines and the lives of the miners and their families.  He resumed his teaching career at Appalachia High School, teaching Biology and English for six years, before moving to Virginia High School in Bristol VA.  In the late 60s, Howard moved to Woodbridge High School in Woodbridge VA to teach Advanced Science and Humanities while earning his Masters in Education from the University of Virginia in 1972.  While in Woodbridge, he received Teacher of the Year accolades three times before being nominated in 1977 to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia for National Teacher of Year. 

After the death of his mother, Howard returned to live with his sister Blanch in Big Stone Gap before settling in Appalachia VA and resuming his teaching career at Mountain Empire Community College.  Always a colorful raconteur, Howard’s love of the written word – a passion he sparked in his nieces and nephews – led to the beginning of a long stint as a featured writer focused on Appalachian people, culture, and communities for The Coalfield Progress’ Big Stone Gap Post and, eventually, The Dickenson Star.  Never the retiring type he continued to celebrate the culture of the mountains and people he loved in his weekly columns until 2023.  A collection of his stories entitled Views from the Mountain to the People in the Valleys was published in 2020.

As his teaching career wound down, Howard increasingly focused on community service.  He was a donor and cultural director for the June Tolliver House, named for the heroine of Fox’s most famous novel, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.  In Appalachia, he helped establish the Appalachian Cultural Arts Council, served as its first President, and directed five 3-act plays.  With his friend, historian Garnett Gilliam (deceased), Howard helped establish the Lonesome Pine School and Heritage Center in Big Stone Gap.  He was also a member of the Dickenson County Historical Society and the Clintwood Kiwanis Club.

A tireless and talented storyteller, Howard was a “Pied Piper” uncle, who captivated his nieces and nephews (and any of their friends lucky enough to tag along) as they did chores with him  or followed him on long hikes through the nearby mountains. He had a wicked sense of humor and the timing of a skilled comedian, yet he was essentially a romantic optimist who viewed the world through an always-tasteful pair of rose-colored sunglasses. He had an endless supply of stories yet, was and is himself the subject of many a tall tale.

His full embrace of, and gratitude for, his life was inspiring, and he shared this gift with everyone he met. Howard was always handy with an encouraging stanza from a poem, like this excerpt from one of his favorites:

To-day, I thought, "I will not plan nor strive;

Idle as yon blue sky, or clouds that go

Like loitering ships, with sails as white as snow,

I simply will be glad to be alive”…

 

But…The morning passed to mellow afternoon,

And that to twilight; it was sleep-time soon,—

And lo! again I had forgot to live.

 Unlike the poet Edward Rowland Sill, Howard never forgot to live. We, the fortunate yet now-grieving ones who were touched by his luminous being, will hold him forever in our hearts and minds. 

Howard will be interred at Riverview Cemetery in East Stone Gap VA.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to the Lonesome Pine School and Heritage Center in Big Stone Gap (lpshc.org) , the East Stone Gap Riverview Cemetery Fund (POB 24, ESG), Appalachian Cultural Arts (POB 754), the Dickenson County Historical Society (POB 52, Clintwood)  or your favorite charity.  A memorial service to celebrate his life will be announced in the future.

Mullins Funeral Home and Staff are serving the Cummins family. Online condolences may be made at www.mullinsfuneralhome.net