Barbara Delores Cummings

Psalms 121: 1-2

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help. My help, cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

A Life well lived

Barbara Delores Cummings of Mandeville Louisiana was the eldest daughter of Henry H. Fairley and Carrie B. Fairley. She was born on August 29,1933 in Mandeville, Louisiana. Barbara was baptized at an early age, and she joined Morning Star Baptist Church in Mandeville, Louisiana, where she was a faithful member and gave of herself in service to the Lord. 

She graduated from Covington Rosenwald in Covington Louisiana in 1952. She furthered her education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and received  a Bachelors degree in education. She was hired by the St Tammany Parish School System on her birthday, August 29, 1966.  What a birthday present! She taught in Sun, Louisiana for a few years, but spent the bulk of her career teaching at Abita Springs Elementary, in Abita Springs, Louisiana. She would get so excited when the school year started, because she loved decorating her bulletin boards and getting the classroom ready for the year. She enjoyed teaching and loved her students. She retired in 1996 after 30 years of service.

Barbara was full of life, and loved to have a good time. After retirement, at the urging of her Sister in law, Leola, she joined the gym. Every morning they would go workout, then after, go to Winn Dixie to sit, have coffee, a muffin, and visit with the employees and friends. They were well known in Winn Dixie as the “Sisters”. She enjoyed fellowshipping at church and over the years she was a part of different groups within her home church. She loved being a part of the Mission group, and would frequently say, how much she missed it, when she was unable to attend anymore. She was an excellent cook and she spent countless hours cooking and baking. Barbara was a masterful card player and loved a good game of Spades or Bid Whist. Shopping was one of her pastimes. JcPenney, Belk, Walmart, Winn Dixie, and Rouses are going to miss her, as well. You could always find her watching Judge Judy, a game show or working a crossword puzzle. Because of Judge Judy, she was an unlicensed attorney, and she would dare you to challenge her legal knowledge. She was an avid football fan. She kept a notebook of all the NFL teams, games and scores, for decades. If you wanted to know the results of a particular game from years ago, she could give you the answer.

A woman so strong, so full of life, her full story cannot be adequately described. In just a few words; warrior, compassionate, quiet strength, educator, servant, giving, talented, devoted mother, dear friend, auntie, sister, cousin, and grandmother.

The Lord called Barbara home on Sept 13, 2023. We will remember that throughout her battle, she seldom complained and each day she fought valiantly for just a few more precious moments with her family, friends and to reach her 90th birthday on August 29, 1933.

Barbara leaves in God’s care her son, Malcom Robinson, six grandchildren, Kevin Robinson(Jessica), Marshall Robinson(Jessica), Jarvis Robinson, Ashley Robinson Martin (Jamal), a brother Simmie Fairley(Leola), a sister Evelyn O’brien, numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Barbara is celebrating in heaven today as she is welcomed by her father, mother, and granddaughter Melinda Robinson.

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