A Tribute to Joe Bob Cummins
...affectionately known as "Poppy Joe" by his descendants especially the grandchildren and greats. Joe Bob Cummins was born October 31, 1911, to Ballard Sylvester and Jennie Weaver Cummins, and died on January 3, 2007, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He was married to Mary Susan Connolly on August 15, 1940, and they together had 4 children: Mary Katherine married to John Howard of Broken Arrow; Linda Jo married to Ron T. Johnston of Chapel Hill, NC; Wanda Kay married to Dr. Sherman Critser of the Ivory Coast, Africa; and William Ray married to Wanda Shuey of Forgan, OK.
...Before his marriage, he drove a semi truck professionally. Later he worked in the oil fields of Forest Oil Corporation of Nowata County, OK. The family moved to Alluwe in 1947 and then on to Nowata in 1957. The children all graduated from Nowata High School. After the children were adults and Dad retired, they moved to Cushing, Drumright, and finally to Tulsa.
...Dad was a man of strong character and discipline. He was physically a big man of 6 ft and 230 lbs. He worked hard and rose to the position of oil field foreman, leading others in the work in Alluwe. He loved his family and took delight in their accomplishments. He also had hobbies of fishing and hunting. He was an avid fisherman in retired life. He also enjoyed playing SkipBo and having his family around. He was a musician, playing guitar, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, and piano. He also sang harmony with a deep, rich bass voice. He loved to listen to southern gospel quartets and go to singing conventions.
...Dad became a believer in Jesus during his 30's and it changed everything for him. He became active in the local church for all activities. He used his music in services and volunteered for any ministries that could use him. He wanted everyone else to know the same relationship that he had found.
...Dad was also very compassionate. He was forgiving of his family members who failed. He was tolerant of family members who didn't believe as he did. He was emotional when seeing the activities of his family members especially in service to the Lord. He didn't think it was unmanly to shed tears of emotion, but he rarely shared tears of pain.
...Obviously, his passing at age 95 will be our loss here, but his gain over there. We rejoice that he is at peace with his wife and mine.