Joy Cummings

Joy Lee Montgomery Cummings, aged 80, saw the face of Jesus on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  She was born in Port Arthur, TX in 1942 to the late David Montgomery and the late Merle Montgomery Clements of Lonoke, AR.

She was preceded in death by her son, Chuck Cummings of Little Rock, AR and her sister, June Creech of Sheridan, AR.  Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 57 yrs, Charles Cummings of Lonoke, daughter, Leigh Anne Stankoski (Marc) of Waxahachie, TX, daughter, Amanda McGraw (John) of Dumas, sister, Jane Derning of Lonoke, brother, Tommy Montgomery of Carlisle, grandchildren, Tabor McGraw (Hannah), Kelsey McGraw, Brandon Stankoski, Caden Stankoski, and Zach Cummings, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joy grew up in Lonoke and attended Lonoke High School where she began dating Charlie, the great love of her life. They were married in August 1965 and settled in their forever home in Lonoke in 1967.

She exemplified a Proverbs 31 woman.  As a wife, she doted on her husband, always ensuring he had everything he needed. They were true partners who put their love on display for all to see.  She managed her household and opened her home to anyone who needed a place to stay, and showed them the love they needed.

As a mother, she was sweet but stern, infinitely fair-minded, and taught her children how to love unconditionally without fail.  She never missed any event in which her children participated.  She celebrated their triumphs and held them during their defeats.

Joy was notoriously shy and content to sit on the sidelines. She loved to sing and was an accomplished concert pianist.  Her favorite season was Christmas, and she made many homemade Christmas crafts.  During the holiday season, she would decorate anything that stood still, and her Christmas tree had a different theme each year.  Her home was a Christmas showplace.

She was a longtime pianist and secretary for Lonoke Baptist Church and had a 19 year career as a medical secretary with Children’s Medical Services in Little Rock where she traveled the state assisting with the opening of children’s medical clinics.

Joy touched more lives than she could ever know.  She loved her Lord and praised him daily.  She loved fiercely and cared deeply without any expectation of anything in return.  She will be terribly missed, and the world is a better place because she walked around in it.