Marjorie Cummings

Marjorie Street Swope Cummings of Graham, Texas, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 10th, 2017.  A funeral service will be held Thursday, December 14th at one o’clock at First United Methodist Church, Graham, Texas.  Burial will follow in Pioneer Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Marjorie was born in Graham, Texas on July 16 to Mable Louise Flanagan and Spencer Boyd Street, Sr.  She was born at home (800 Third Street) on a warm afternoon.  The Methodist Church was just across the street and her father always told her that she was born in the shadow of the church.  This gave her a lifelong feeling of well-being and a smile when she would repeat the story to family and friends.

Marjorie grew up happily in Graham.  She was a Graham High School cheerleader and loved cheering on the Graham Steers.  On Sunday evenings, she would bring her Methodist Youth Fellowship group to her home where they would roll up the rugs and dance!  Her love of church, entertaining, dancing and humor would last a lifetime.

Following high school, Marjorie went on to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.  She pledged Delta-Delta-Delta Sorority (Tri Delta) and made many dear life long friends. Graduating in 1945 with a teaching degree in elementary education, she went on to teach in Corpus Christi and Vernon before accepting a job in Austin, Texas at the Capitol.  It was in Austin that she met Jack Lon Swope.  They married in 1950 in Graham then lived in Monterrey, Mexico and settled in Killeen, Texas where their two children, Spencer Lon and Amanda Claire, were born.

In 1963, Marjorie moved back to Graham with Spencer and Amanda.  She began teaching sixth grade social studies and continued to do so for 30 years.  Being a traveler of the world, her students loved to hear her stories and marvel at the mementos she brought back.

In 1988, she married James B. Cummings; a fellow traveler, dancer, and entertainer.  Life was their oyster! They started a group for seniors at the Methodist Church called the GGG’s (Get Up and Get Going) which was a huge success!  While planning activities for the GGG’s, they also managed yearly trips to New Orleans and Gulf Shores!

 If two things could be said about Marjorie, they would be that she cherished her children, Spencer and Amanda and her granddaughter, Little Marjorie, and that she was not afraid to indulge in a wonderful life.  It was this love and love of merry-making that attracted so many people to her.  She will be dearly missed by all. 

Marjorie is survived by her sister, Louise Street Witkowski of Graham; her son Spencer Swope of Austin, Texas; her daughter Amanda Swope Dandridge and husband Larry of Dallas, Texas; her only grandchild and beloved name sake Marjorie Street Dandridge Ballew and husband Aubrey of Fort Worth Texas; three stepchildren: Skip Cummings of Ponder, Texas; Bill Cummings and wife Betty of Lewisville, Texas; and Jack Cummings and wife Kathy of Highland, Texas; sister-n- law, Carole Street; nephew, Warren Witkowski and four nieces, Susan Skidmore, Mary Carole Street, Sarah Curd and Joni Street

Along with husband, James B. Cummings, she was preceded in death by her father, Spencer Boyd Street, Sr.; mother, Mabel Flanagan Street; brother, Spencer Boyd Street, Jr.; and nephew, Spencer Boyd Street III.

The family asks that memorials be made to the church that she was born in the shadow of: First United Methodist Church, 700 Third Street, Graham, TX  76450.