Alice Cummins

Alice Inez Swofford Cummins, age 83, passed away on May 24, 2010 at Hospice at Wendover. She was born April 27, 1927, in Rutherford County and was the fourth daughter of the late John K. and Sadie Harris Swofford of Hollis, NC. She was a wife, mother, and grandmother. She graduated from Hollis High School and was employed for 5 years with the FBI in Washington, DC, and studied interior design from the University of Georgia in Athens. She was owner/operator of Acum Interiors, a self-employed interior decorator for 55 years in Maryland, Mississippi and North Carolina. She returned to NC in 1998. She was an artist and president of the Working Artist of Shelby and was a member of the Southern Art Society, the MS Watercolor Society and the Gourmet Art Ladies Society (GALS) of MS. She was also a member of the Carolina Scribes and contributed to the future book of the history of Cleveland County. She was also a lifetime golfer and gardner. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, James Patrick Cummins, and one sister, Edna Frances Blanton. Mrs. Cummins is survived by her husband of 63 years, Ernest Aston Cummins; one daughter, Barbara Rials; one grandson, James Patrick Rials of Boiling Springs; 2 granddaughters, Alisa Rials of Belmont and Kristen Hurff of Annapolis, MD; and two great-granddaughters, Megan Smith and Caroline Elizabeth Hurff of Annapolis, MD. She is also survived by two sisters, Vera Gettys and Ruby Price; and two brothers, John Swofford Jr., and Dwight C. Swofford. She had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Cummins was a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church, The Bayliss Sundy School Class and the Young at Heart. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. at Aldersgate Methodist Church with the Reverend Wayne Allen and Reverend Katie Roberts officiating. The family will receive friends in the Epworth Building following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1207 West Dixon Blvd., Shelby, NC 28152. Burial will be private in the columbarium at Aldersgate Church Prayer Garden.