William F. (Bill) Cummings

Former State Representative William F. (Bill) Cummings, age 85, of Rockmart, GA passed away at his residence on Saturday October 4, 2014 following several years of declining health.

He was born in Chester, SC on March 1, 1929 and raised in Rockmart, GA a son of David Lawrence (D.L.) Cummings and Cloreathe Lee Cummings. Bill affectionately known as "Goat" was a 1947 graduate of Rockmart High School and a member and former Elder of the Rockmart Church of Christ. He received a Junior College Degree from West Georgia College, an AB Degree from Atlanta Christian College, an AB Degree from Oglethorpe University, and a Masters Degree from West Georgia College. He served in the United States Army in the 82nd. Airborne Division. A retired thirty year educator with the Polk School District, Bill was very active in educator organizations. He twice served as President of the Georgia Association of Educators, and served in various education leadership positions on local, state and national levels. He was a tireless supporter of West Georgia College serving on the UWG Board of Trustees from 1982 to 1994.

In addition to his education career, Bill served twenty-six years as State Representative in the Georgia House of Representatives, representing Polk County and parts of Bartow and Floyd Counties. He served as Chairman of the Retirement Committee and also served as a member of the Appropriations Committee, Ways and Means Committee and the Interstate Cooperation Committee.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jenna Lee Wilson Cummings on March 2, 2014 to whom he was married on September 1, 1953 and by a brother, Dr. T. E. Cummings.

Survivors include three children: David Cummings and wife Rita, Rockmart, Julie Moss and husband Tommy, Rome and Tommy Cummings, Rockmart; six grandchildren: Benji Shanks and wife Alexis, Jenna Moss, Thomas Moss, Abby Cummings, April Lanier and husband Brad and Kerri King and husband Chad; five great grandchildren: Oliver Shanks, Briley King, Avery King, Ansley Lanier and Dawson Scoggins; sister, Joyce Combs and husband John, Tallapoosa; brother, Lee Cummings, Rockmart; sisters in law: Joan Cummings, Betty Wilcox and husband Jim, Eloise Dasher and husband Billy and Hilda Tidwell and husband Coleman. A number of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday evening, October 8, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial gifts be made to the Bill Cummings Scholarship Fund, c/o University of West Georgia 1601 Maple St. Carrollton, GA 30118 or the Rockmart Church of Christ, 201 Slate St. Rockmart, GA 30153.

Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.