Melvin, “Jiggs”, “Grandpaw”, “Baboo”, “Boo” Cummins passed away Sunday, April 6, 2014 at Lampstand Health and Rehabilitation in Bryan, Texas. He was born on January 16, 1927 to Ella Mae Rollins Cummins and Melvin Cummins, in Hamshire, Texas.
Jiggs was named after his father. When he was born, his father called him Jiggs and that stuck for 87 years,
Jiggs resided in southeast Texas and primarily Beaumont all of his life. In January, when he was no longer able to drive, life became more difficult and he had many health challenges that created sadness for this strong man. Twelve years ago, he experienced heart surgery but his strength and strong determination to live has been an inspiration for many people.
Jiggs grew up in rural Hamshire where he learned, at an early age, many life long skills. He had chores and performed hard work to help his family. As an older brother to five younger sisters, he became someone you could depend on and love. Jiggs loved animals at an early age and always talked about his horse, Kidd.
In 1945, at age 18, Jiggs enlisted in the Merchant Marines at Fort Dix, NJ. He loved to tell stories of their coastal patrols during this WWII era.
He returned to southeast Texas and immediately began working. He found his niche working in the refineries near Beaumont and for a short time in the New Orleans area. Jiggs was proud of his shift work. His activities included normal panel board operator duties (adjusting process parameters, responding to alarm situations, etc) along with maintenance support (performing lockout/tagout of equipment and isolation of process equipment) so work could be safely performed at the refinery. He worked at Texas Gas Company, Mobil Chemical, and retired from Velsicol in 1992.
On June 5, 1948, he married Kathlyn Ann Little. They were happily married for 25 years. During this time, they enjoyed the birth of their children Lynn and Judy. As a shift worker, his jobs kept him busy but during this time, Jiggs developed a love of gardening.
Orange trees were a specialty for him. He loved that his abundant crops allowed him to share them with family and friends. Later in life it gave him the opportunity to make frequent trips to the fire station to share oranges and Nina’s pound cakes with the firemen. His deliveries didn’t stop there. When his beloved friend and doctor, the late Dr. Ron Eger became ill, he cherished the days he could take goodies to him and his wife Mary.
After the loss of Ann in 1973, he met and married Ida “Nina” McCaughn Rice. Together for forty years, they enjoyed traveling with friends, gardening and Jiggs was especially fond of being able to enjoy Nina’s amazing talent of cooking. Jiggs also started a knife sharpening business. His meticulous talent for sharpening blades made him very popular among barbers and especially his barber friend Alex Joseph “Joe” Stelly.
Jiggs could always be found with an animal or two. You could often find him hanging out with his dear veterinary friend, the late Dr. James L Massey, on College St. or delivering old newspapers for the kennels at the Humane Society.
Whether outside in his shop sharpening knives or blades, or riding on his lawnmower, Jiggs could always be found with a project. Making unique and different kinds of walking sticks and canes was a fun hobby. He loved gadgets, people and telling a good story. Jiggs was also a great dancer even though he had double knee replacements.
During recent years, with Nina’s health failing, Jiggs became her primary caregiver. The two were amazing. Cooking, cleaning, driving, or nursing, they took care of each other. They appreciated the Christian and loving support of Lamar Baptist Church.
Jiggs is survived by his wife, Nina Cummins; son, Lynn Cummins and his wife, Linda, of Coldspring, Texas; daughter, Judy Glass of Palestine; step-son, William Randall “Randy” Rice and his wife, Jackie, of Katy; sisters, Wilma DeYoung of Winnie; Verna Heckaman of Hamshire; Mary Lou Henry and her husband, Hubert, of Winnie; Linda Jackson of Anahuac; Lois LeBlanc of Winnie; grandchildren, Christopher Barrett Glass and his wife, Kathy; Mistye Glass Ormand and her husband, Wiliam; Joshua David Cummins and his wife, Amanda; William Cass “Billy” Rice and his wife, Alejandra; and great-grandchildren, Molly Ormand, Abigail Ormand, Claire Ormand, Katelyn Glass, Allison Glass, Aiden Cummins, Aaron Cummins, Lina Samantha Rice, and William Henry Rice; nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathlyn Ann Little Cummins, grandson, Byron Cummins; and son-in-law, Paul Glass.
Serving as Pallbearers: William Cass Rice, Christopher Barrett Glass, Joshua David Cummins, William Harris Ormand, and William Henry Rice.
A gathering of Mr. Cummins’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2014, at Broussard’s. 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
