Martha Cummings, 90, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2020 at Western Missouri Medical Center, Warrensburg, Missouri. Martha will lie in state from 12-5 PM Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home.
A socially distanced service will be held on Thursday, December 10 at 2:00pm at the Clinton United Methodist Church. The service will be live-streamed on the Facebook pages of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home and Clinton United Methodist Church. Burial at the Garden City Cemetery Garden City, Missouri.
Memorial donations in Martha’s honor may be made to the music department at the Clinton United Methodist Church, Clinton Animal Rescue Endeavor (CARE) or the Clinton Elks Lodge. Donations may be left at the funeral home
Martha J Cummings was born in Bates County, MO on June 6, 1930 to Oscar S and Irene (Sliffe) Blankenship. She succumbed to complications of COVID-19 the afternoon of December 6, 2020 at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg, MO.
Martha was a graduate of Adrian High School. She married Lyle Cummings on June 1, 1948 where they resided on a Cass County farm near Dayton, MO before moving to Clinton in 1960.
Soon after their marriage, Lyle began his career with American Family Insurance, with Martha providing assistance and support every step of the way during their 52 years with the company.
Martha and Lyle led long lives of service to their Church, American Family customers, the Clinton community, and especially veterans. They passed this robust legacy of service to their three children and five grandchildren.
Martha was an active member in the Clinton United Methodist Church, devoting many years as a member of the choir as well as a Sunday school teacher. She was also a Jubilee member.
She was the first and a long-time director of volunteers at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, a life member of the Auxiliary, and served a term as president of the Missouri Association of Hospital Auxiliaries.
Martha enjoyed volunteering with the Truman Lakes Association and served as president, cherishing her role of promoting Clinton and Truman Lake.
She was passionate about her 71-year membership in the American Legion Auxiliary. She served every local office including treasurer for decades. She also held many elected positions in the district. She was instrumental in bringing the Girls State Program to Clinton High School. Providing assistance to veterans brought her great satisfaction.
Martha was always supportive of her three children, serving as a both a Camp Fire Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother during their childhood years.
She was also a member of several other local civic groups, including the Udolpha Miller Dorman chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Garden City chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
The entirety of her volunteerism to the community was recognized by the Greater Area Clinton Chamber of Commerce when she was honored as the Volunteer of the Year in 1985.
She was a wonderful cook, in particular her gift for making her homemade noodles and rolls each holiday for family gatherings in her home, and her Dutch apple pie was legendary around town. Taking care of her yard, flowers and plants was her favorite pastime in addition to reading, playing the piano, studying genealogy, and watching the Chiefs and Royals.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle, in 2011, her parents and her son-in-law, Gary Moberly.
She leaves to mourn her passing daughter, Carla Moberly, sons David (Jennifer) Cummings and Steve (Terri) Cummings, all of Clinton.
She was the proud grandmother of Mark Moberly, Devin (Bill) Moberly Gentilesco, Casey (Garett Brown) Cummings (all of Kansas City, MO), Andy (Breanne) Cummings, and Adam (Jayme Bittle) Cummings (both of Clinton, MO). She also leaves a precious great granddaughter, Blake Cummings.
Martha’s siblings, Dick (Janice) Blankenship of Searcy AR, JoAnne (Gene) Waite of Joplin, MO, and Ruth (Gerald) Hinten of Keller, TX survive her as well as three nieces and three nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Jim Clouse of Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Dr. Syed Hasan and Dr Mark Pluym of Western Missouri Medical Center, and her amazing nurses, Mandy and Charlie, for their compassionate care provided to Martha during her last few days.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
