Obituaries: Wiley M. Cummings Sr., Sabine Parish C-552 Source: Sabine Index, Many, La., May 7, 1997 Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck carlrad@earthlink.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Wiley M. Cummings Sr. (Photo) Former Superintendent of Sabine Parish Schools, Wiley Merrill Cummings Sr., died Monday, April 28, at L. S. Huckaby Memorial Hospital in Coushatta, following an extended illness. He was 79. Funeral services for Mr. Cummings were held at the First Baptist Church of Many, Wednesday, April 30, at 2 p.m. Officiating at the services were the Rev. Bill Hines, the Rev. Daniel Lowe, and Gene Wright. Burial followed in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, under the direction of the Warren Meadows Funeral Home. Pallbearers included Jeffry Cummings, Lloyd (Bubba) Savell, Chris Lambert, Bradley Lambert, Jesse Lambert, Eric Lucius, Brad Anthony, Edward Cozier, Paul Wise, Greg Loftin, and Andy Barron. Honorary pallbearers were members of his Sunday School Class, R. J. Stoker, Earl Speights, and Bill Loftin. Survivors include his widow, Oleta Cummings of Coushatta; a son, Wiley Merrill Cummings Jr. and wife Linda of Many; two daughters, Donna Savell and husband Lloyd of Negreet, and Sandra Lambert of Many; a stepson, James B. Loftin of Minden; a stepdaughter, Ann Lucius of Baytown, Tex.; a sister, Ila Woodard of Cotton Valley; two brothers, Willie Cummings, and Merce Cummings, both of Coushatta; 13 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Grace Ross Cummings. Thirty six years of Mr. Cummings' life were dedicated to education. During his career, he stressed the importance of education. As a former coach and principal, Mr. Cummings' career rose to the top, when he was named Superintendent of Sabine Parish Schools in 1975, following the retirement of L. B. Skinner. His wise advice on education paid off, especially in his own family, because three of his children entered the field of education. His son, Merrill, is Student Personnel Services Officer at La. Technical College, Natchitoches Campus. Daughter, Donna, teaches at Negreet, and daughter, Sandra, is a teacher at Many Junior High. Following his death, his son, Merrill reflected "Our lives as children would be considered non-traditional in today's homes. Our home was full of love and laughter, completely free of stress and strife". Born and raised in Red River Parish, his early years were spent in Methvin, a rural community near Coushatta. Born in 1917, he was the third child of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Cummings. In high school, basketball became his life. A stand-out on the team, he knew that athletics and education would somehow be combined in his career. After graduating from Methvin High School in 1936, he went to work for H. H. Bain Roofing Co. in Shreveport, that fall. The company sponsored a YMCA Independent Basketball League, and Cummings once stated that he played more basketball than he worked. In 1937, he was awarded an athletic scholarship to La. State Normal College (now Northwestern State University) in Natchitoches. Mr. Cummings was a three-year letterman as the Demons won Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference basketball titles from 1939-41. He was named co-captain of the 1940-41 team, and was the second-leading scorer that season. At Louisiana State Normal College, he also was a three-time letterman in track and field. He was the school's top long jumper, and ran the 100 yard and 220 yard dashes as the team won LIC titles in 1939-40. He served as 'N' Club President, as a senior, and was elected to "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities". While at Normal, he earned his B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education. His minors were history, social studies, biology, and English. He also earned his master's degree, plus 33 hours through Northwestern and the University of Arkansas, in the early 1950's. His first job in 1941, was as coach at Pleasant Hill High School. As a coach, he made a sensational debut, winning the 1942 Louisiana Prep basketball championship. A three-year stint in the United States Air force interrupted his coaching career. A veteran of World War II, he served three years overseas in England, Spain, and North Africa, as Ground Crew Chief on B-17s. He was honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant in 1945. Following his military service, he returned to Pleasant Hill High, as a coach and teacher. The following year, he transferred to Coushatta High for a year. In 1948, Mr. Cummings returned to Sabine Parish, as principal and coach of Pisgah High School. In 1952, he was named principal of Negreet High School, where he stayed for 15 years. He finished with a 224-66 lifetime coaching mark in basketball, and as Principal of Negreet High, he helped build a girl's basketball program that won seven straight state titles from 1953-60. In 1967, he was named Superintendent, a position he held for three years, until he retired in 1978. Many times during his term as superintendent, the School Board came under fire, but Mr. Cummings continued to strive for the best interests in education for the children. He served as superintendent during a hard time, but he kept the respect of all who served under him. Following retirement, Mr. Cummings and his wife Oleta, whom he married in 1977, maintained two homes, one in Many, and the other in Coushatta., Early retirement years were spent fishing on Toledo Bend, and enjoying their grandchildren. A highlight of Mr. Cummings' life was his induction into the 'N' Club Hall of Fame at Northwestern State University. Mr. Cummings, along with five other key figures in Northwestern's athletic history, were inducted Saturday, Oct. 19, 1991. This is the highest honor awarded by the university, to it's former sports stars. Voting for enshrinement is done by members of the 'N' Club. Even though he had been in ill health, the award was considered "his finest hour", marking an illustrious athletic career. His picture now hangs in the Hall of Fame, located in the lobby of Prather Coliseum on campus. A member of the First Baptist Church of Many, he taught the Adult Sunday School Class for over 20 years. Since the late 1980's Mr. Cummings had suffered from Parkinson's Disease. Over the last year, he had been hospitalized several times, as the disease progressed. His wife lovingly tended to his every need throughout the illness, which allowed him to enjoy life at home until his death. Wiley Cummings believed in education, and the expertise he offered to area schools during his years as coach, principal, and superintendent, will always be remembered.