The Rev. Charles H. Cummings
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The Rev. Charles H. Cummings, 83, was called home on January 31, 2013 after a short illness in the Glen at Willow Valley Retirement Community. He was the son of the late Gilbert and Mary E. Cummings of Upper Darby.
Charlie graduated from Upper Darby High School, Reformed Episcopal Seminary and Temple University. He was ordained to the Ministry in June 1960 and served three churches: Portland/Mt. Bethel Presbyterian Church in Mt. Bethel, PA, First Presbyterian Church in Wildwood, NJ, and Faggs Manor Presbyterian Church in Cochranville, PA.
He retired in 1995 from the Presbyterian Church in America. He then served as principle at Bethany Christian School in Oxford. He last served as chaplain at Willow Valley Manor for six years. He was happy in his call.
Charlie married Jean Jeffries on August 24, 1957. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Kimberly (David) Esbenshade of Peach Bottom, Jeffries Cummings of Pittsburgh, Joanne Emery of Oxford, PA, and John (Julie) Cummings of Atglen, PA. He also has 10 grandchildren.
There will be two services. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, February 7th at 3 PM at the Manor Presbyterian Church, 505 Street Rd., Cochranville, PA.; and another will be held at Orr Auditorium in the Manor at Willow Valley at a time yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charlie's memory to the Harvest Presbyterian Church, memo "Building Fund", 517 Beaver Valley Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602 or Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
The World Has Lost A Wonderful Man
My wife and I would like to express our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Cummings and the rest of the family.
Rev. Cummings will be missed by all!
I will miss you Charlie
Rev. Charles Cummings will be surely missed. He always took the time to listen to anyone who came to him. He would cancel his own plans and put you first. I will always remember his laugh. I can still hear him saying, “Patience my boy” or “Michael my boy”.
I also will remember his story of going to Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia at Christmas. He would start singing and his three children would all head in different directions (I can relate)
Charlie showed Jesus’s love in whatever he did. I will also cherish all the memories of our time together.
Jean, Jeff, John and Kim, Thank you for sharing your Husband and Father with us all.
Let’s all remember what I always said was his favorite Bible verse, Roman 8:28 (28 and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.)
Remember me to Jesus, Charlie.
A great man of God
My condolences go out to the entire Cummings & extended families. Pastor Cummings was a truly great man of God. I always had the greatest respect and admiration for him and his love for people. I will always fondly remember him as my childhood pastor and on into young adulthood as well.
My mom, Louva Gibbs sends her condolences also.
--David Gibbs
The Lord has called upon one of his disciples.
Reverend Cummings will forever be remembered and revered as a loving and caring minister, teacher, father, and husband. As a young man, hearing him preach from the pulpit at Faggs Manor Presbyterian Church made a lasting impression during my early walk with Christ. I vividly remember gathering for meals at the Manse on several joyous occasions, completely infatuated by Reverend Cummings and his larger than life personality and his stout devotion to the Lord and his teachings. He was loved and will truly be missed. My condolences to the Cummings family.
A Very Special Man
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Charlie was so special to our whole family, especially Dad (Earl Moessner). I can just imagine the reunion between them at Heaven's Gate, and the interesting discussions which have followed.
Pam
Charlie Cummings
Charlie was a youth leader at the Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church during some of my early teen years. He spent time with me, and offered a great deal of encouragement, hope and wise counsel that I have found myself reflecting back on over the years. I last talked with him on the phone about two years ago, while visiting my brother Bruce who still lives in Upper Darby. In fact, he and I remember the nice welcome, visit and lunch we had, Jean, at your home when you both lived in south central Pennsylvania. Even in that last phone call, he was so gracious and interested in how my family was, and how my over 40 years of ordained ministry had gone. I just wanted to share this word of gratitude and condolence. May he know he is now joined with God in Christ's redemption for all time.
Blessings and peace,
Rev. Bill Van loan
Thank You
Rev Cummings, thank you for your encouragement of my mother in her faith development. Seeds you have sown into the lives of others are continuing to bear fruit for the kingdom of God.