Obituary
Arvis Vertis "Sid" Cumbest, age 83, of Pascagoula, died peacefully Sunday morning at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula. He was surrounded by his family.
Preceding his death, were his parents, Eli and Neelia Cumbest, five older brothers: Julius, Lloyd, Dennis, Donald, Gerald and a sister, Hilda Cumbest Carter.
Mr. Cumbest was born July 16, 1929, in Wade, MS, and spent most of his life in Jackson County.
Survivors include spouse Shirley Atwood Cumbest, five children: Susan (David) McCormick; Scott (Lynn) Cumbest; Sandra Cumbest; Stephen (Marie) Cumbest; Sydney Cumbest, five grandchildren: Sarah Kathryn (Gantt) Hickman, Caroline McCormick; Hilary Cumbest; Madison Cumbest; and Cole Cumbest.
He is a graduate of Wade High School, 1948; B.S., University of Southern Mississippi, 1954, and L.L.B, Jackson School of Law, 1958.
He began his work experience at Cumbest Sawmill and later was employed by International Paper and Ingalls Shipyard before beginning the practice of law. He was a Korean War Veteran and practiced law for over 50 years in civil and criminal litigation in all Mississippi Federal and State Courts. He, and his brother, Donald, were the founding partners of Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick. Admitted to the Bar in 1958, he practiced until 2004, when at 75, he retired and became of counsel to the firm.
He served as Attorney and Prosecutor for the City of Moss Point for five years. In Pascagoula he served as part-time City prosecutor for 12 years. Elected twice, Mr. Cumbest was the Jackson County Prosecuting attorney from 1982 -1990.
Professional Memberships include the Mississippi State Bar for more than 50 years, Jackson County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Mississippi Association for Justice, American Association for Justice and the Joel Blass Chapter of the American Inns of Court
In addition, he was a member of many civic and fraternal organizations: Pascagoula Noon Lions Club, B.P.O.E . 1120 , VFW, American Legion Post 160, 32nd degree Mason of Pascagoula Lodge 419, Joppa Shriners, the Singing River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Jackson County Home Builders Association, as well as many others.
He was a man of faith, participating as a member of Caswell Springs United Methodist Church in Wade, MS, and associate member of Eastlawn United Methodist Church in Pascagoula, MS.
Enthralled by his family history in Jackson County, he loved researching and discovering their past events. He was especially proud of his ancestry and their contribution to the development and progress of Jackson County. He prided himself by creating albums of family events, photographs and genealogical articles for family members. He and his brother, Donald, worked to preserve the Pascagoula River Basin for enjoyment of all.
The land, rivers and swamps of Jackson County provided a natural habitat for him to hunt, fish and explore an area he considered having played a significant part in his family's history, and he enjoyed a lifetime of hunting and fishing on the Pascagoula River and swamp, where he hunted deer, turkeys, dove, ducks and squirrels. His two favorite styles of fishing were setting limb lines for catfish and using cane poles to catch bream. He also was an avid card player and most enjoyed playing poker and bridge.
Funeral Services will be held at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church on Wednesday, September 19th. Reverend H.W. Parker and Reverend Gene Vance will be officiating the service. Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. to noon with funeral services to follow. Interment to follow at Caswell Springs Cemetery. Full military honors will be conducted at graveside by the American Legion Post #160 of Pascagoula.
Pallbearers will be: Halsey Cumbest, Barry Cumbest, Royce Cumbest, Keith Carter, Casey Vaughan and Richard Atwood.
Special thanks and appreciation is extended to Renee Breland, Casey Vaughan, Sandra Hunter, Jason Williams and Home Instead for their help and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Caswell Springs United Methodist Church or Eastlawn United Methodist Church.
Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary
Arvis Vertis "Sid" Cumbest, age 83, of Pascagoula, died peacefully Sunday morning at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula. He was surrounded by his family.
Preceding his death, were his parents, Eli and Neelia Cumbest, five older brothers: Julius, Lloyd, Dennis, Donald, Gerald and a sister, Hilda Cumbest Carter.
Mr. Cumbest was born July 16, 1929, in Wade, MS, and spent most of his life in Jackson County.
Survivors include spouse Shirley Atwood Cumbest, five children: Susan (David) McCormick; Scott (Lynn) Cumbest; Sandra Cumbest; Stephen (Marie) Cumbest; Sydney Cumbest, five grandchildren: Sarah Kathryn (Gantt) Hickman, Caroline McCormick; Hilary Cumbest; Madison Cumbest; and Cole Cumbest.
He is a graduate of Wade High School, 1948; B.S., University of Southern Mississippi, 1954, and L.L.B, Jackson School of Law, 1958.
He began his work experience at Cumbest Sawmill and later was employed by International Paper and Ingalls Shipyard before beginning the practice of law. He was a Korean War Veteran and practiced law for over 50 years in civil and criminal litigation in all Mississippi Federal and State Courts. He, and his brother, Donald, were the founding partners of Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick. Admitted to the Bar in 1958, he practiced until 2004, when at 75, he retired and became of counsel to the firm.
He served as Attorney and Prosecutor for the City of Moss Point for five years. In Pascagoula he served as part-time City prosecutor for 12 years. Elected twice, Mr. Cumbest was the Jackson County Prosecuting attorney from 1982 -1990.
Professional Memberships include the Mississippi State Bar for more than 50 years, Jackson County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Mississippi Association for Justice, American Association for Justice and the Joel Blass Chapter of the American Inns of Court
In addition, he was a member of many civic and fraternal organizations: Pascagoula Noon Lions Club, B.P.O.E . 1120 , VFW, American Legion Post 160, 32nd degree Mason of Pascagoula Lodge 419, Joppa Shriners, the Singing River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Jackson County Home Builders Association, as well as many others.
He was a man of faith, participating as a member of Caswell Springs United Methodist Church in Wade, MS, and associate member of Eastlawn United Methodist Church in Pascagoula, MS.
Enthralled by his family history in Jackson County, he loved researching and discovering their past events. He was especially proud of his ancestry and their contribution to the development and progress of Jackson County. He prided himself by creating albums of family events, photographs and genealogical articles for family members. He and his brother, Donald, worked to preserve the Pascagoula River Basin for enjoyment of all.
The land, rivers and swamps of Jackson County provided a natural habitat for him to hunt, fish and explore an area he considered having played a significant part in his family's history, and he enjoyed a lifetime of hunting and fishing on the Pascagoula River and swamp, where he hunted deer, turkeys, dove, ducks and squirrels. His two favorite styles of fishing were setting limb lines for catfish and using cane poles to catch bream. He also was an avid card player and most enjoyed playing poker and bridge.
Funeral Services will be held at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church on Wednesday, September 19th. Reverend H.W. Parker and Reverend Gene Vance will be officiating the service. Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. to noon with funeral services to follow. Interment to follow at Caswell Springs Cemetery. Full military honors will be conducted at graveside by the American Legion Post #160 of Pascagoula.
Pallbearers will be: Halsey Cumbest, Barry Cumbest, Royce Cumbest, Keith Carter, Casey Vaughan and Richard Atwood.
Special thanks and appreciation is extended to Renee Breland, Casey Vaughan, Sandra Hunter, Jason Williams and Home Instead for their help and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Caswell Springs United Methodist Church or Eastlawn United Methodist Church.
Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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