HAMLET — Gloria Dean Cummings, 88, of Hamlet passed away Jan. 7, 2023 at Richmond County Hospice Haven.
She was born April 21, 1934, daughter of the late Martha Lou Smith in Gibson, North Carolina.
Gloria was a hardworking and giving woman to her family and her community. She had an avid passion for cooking, so much so that she spent her life working in the food service industry. After obtaining her GED, Gloria would go on to earn her degree in Food Service in Denver, Colorado in 1982. Following this she would then work at The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs as a food service supervisor. Gloria would work at many healthcare facilities as a food service supervisor and would even own her own restaurant in Hamlet.
As much as Gloria loved cooking for others, there was another passion that she loved. Gloria was most proud of being a nanny for several kids in her community. In her later years, Gloria was an avid member of Abundant Life Church in Rockingham, North Carolina.
Along with her mother, Gloria was preceded in death by her sister and a brother; as well as her husband, Bill Cummings, to whom she married on Jan. 6, 1970 for 25 years before his passing.
Surviving her are her sons, James Stewart (Raheal) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Eric McLaurin of Rockingham, North Carolina; brother, John Wylie of Hamlet, North Carolina; grandchildren, Sarah and Sellam, both of Atlanta, Georgia. Along with her family, Gloria leaves behind all of the children she used to nanny: Cailey Freeman, Cate Freeman, Curt Freeman, Caroline Freeman, Brianna Baysek and Grant Baysek, Trent Deane and Rhett Deane; as well as her special friends Brandy and Marc Baysek, Nan and Creed Freeman, and Courtney and Jason Deane. Gloria also leaves behind her beloved rescue dog Tina.
Gloria was a giving and generous woman. She has decided to donate her body to science at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Since she has elected to donate, there will not be a memorial service held for Gloria.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made out to Richmond County Hospice Haven 1119 North US Highway 1, Rockingham, North Carolina 28379.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Cummings family.
