Marjorie Thomas Cummings passed away, Wednesday, March 21st, 2012. She was
born July 17th, 1919 in Evanston, IL. Miss Thomas graduated from Mundelein College
in 1940 where she studied the fundamentals of stagecraft, production, directing, acting
and radio technique. 1940/41 was spent in Los Angeles working for Warner Bros. and
MGM. 1941/42 she lived in New York City working with Robert Powers and NBC Radio.
1943 Marjorie was Dean of Women at Rockford College. She earned a Master’s
degree in 1944 from Northwestern University and became an instructor in Radio-
Television-Film in their School of Speech. In 1952, she married Carl Herbert
Cummings, also teaching at Northwestern, of Dallas, TX. Before settling back in Texas,
they were faculty members at University of Southern California, Western Illinois, and
University of Cincinnati. In 1961, Dallas became home. Mrs. Cummings first taught
English at then Highland Park Junior High and in 1966 became a high school counselor
at W.T. White. She retired from the DISD in 1984. Marge often said she lost her own
identity after marriage - becoming first Carl’s wife, then Tom & Grace’s mother and
most recently Katy, Carlye, and Lily’s Nana. What follows now are her words… “I
believe that the ‘essence’ of me has gone on to what God has planned for me. This is a
time to remember the good times, love, and care that have been shared in this life.
Survived by daughter Grace and son-in-law David Thornton. Three very active
granddaughters - Katy, Carlye and Lily who filled a life for Nana with love and joy. They
will contribute much to their world and enrich the lives they touch. Preceded in life’s
service, husband (1966), and a loved son and daughter-in-law (1980), Tom and
Millicent Cummings, who gave so much richness to our lives in their short time.”
Memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday, March 25th - Wildwood Chapel, in
Restland Memorial Park, Greenville Avenue at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75382. In
lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Granbury First United Methodist Church
Youth. Granbury First United Methodist Church; P.O. Box 70; Granbury, TX 76048.