Darla Cummins

Darla Su "Suzi" (Beard) Cummins, 75 of Swanton, MD, passed away Monday, January 17, 2011 at Garrett County Memorial Hospital of cancer of the liver, diagnosed in March, 2010.

Born September 26, 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of the late B. Beard and Christina (Sanders) Beard. Also, preceded in death are siblings, Bob, Gwynn, Corrine and J.B.

Darla graduated with B.A. from Phillips University in 1957 (Religious Education).

College activities: Cheerleader, president of pep club, Zonta Social Service Club, May Queen candidate, Representative Phillipian Woman candidate, Conference champion in women's singles badminton, elected to Silver Scroll and Cardinal Key academic honor societies, and elected to American Association of University Women.

Professional activities: Women's Retreat Lecturer for the Christian Church (spoke in 21 of 35 of church regions), Workshop leader, Book Reviewer, church school educator for 48 years, Salvation Army Board, Woman's Club of Wheeling, Auxiliary Group of Ohio Valley Medical Centry, First Lady of Bethany College 1988-2002 (Husband Duane, was President).

Publications: Speeding at 55, Parenting with Suzi, My Mothers Hands, Dawning of a New Day and Teaching Teachers to Teach.

Surviving are: husband of 53 + years, married October 6, 1957, Dr. D. Duane Cummins; son, Stephen Cummins, St. George, Utah; daughters, Christi Sue Leslie, Great Falls, VA and Caroline Renee Burnham, Atlanta, GA; fourteen grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life on February 25, 2011 at Bethany College. Suzi is especially remembered at Bethany for her loving outreach to students in need. We are therefore, asking that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Cummins Scholarship Fund established in her name while she served at Bethany. Bethany College, Bethany, WV 26032

Quote from husband Duane:

Our long journey together has come to an end. It began in September 1953 when we met as Phillips freshmen in the first hour of the first class at the opening of school that fall; and ended at 10:45 p.m. on January 17 in the hospital at Oakland, Maryland. Liver cancer took her life. The journey encompassed 57 years, 53 of those shared in a wonderful marriage.

Suzi possessed rare qualities--abiding thoughtfulness, a deeply compassionate Christian spirit, a generous heart, a sunny personality, playfulness of character, good humor and was a source of delight to all who knew her. One of her favorite quotes: "No matter what--God wants us to be happy. He doesn't want us to be sad. Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't we?"

Her life was defined by love, powered by love, the highest image of love. When you think of Suzi, you think of love. She had a greater ability to love than any person I have ever known, and she shared that love with unrestrained generosity. Spiritual joy came to her through loving. All of her correspondence ended with URLVD (you are loved). It is said that to abide in love is to abide in God.

Arrangements by the David A. Burdock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N. 2nd St, Oakland, MD

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