1/14/2015Kemper County MessengerConnie CumberlandServices for Connie Cumberland were held Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at 11 a.m. from McClain-Hays Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lawrence Pool and Rev. Creighton White officiating. Burial followed in Coy Cemetery in Preston. Mrs. Cumberland, 96, of Preston, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, at her home. McClain-Hays Funeral Home in Philadelphia was in charge of arrangements.She was born and reared in Winston County and made her home in the Coy community of Kemper County most of her life. She and her husband owned and operated R.B. Cumberland Country Store for 68 years. Mrs. Cumberland was a member of Coy United Methodist Church.Mrs. Cumberland was preceded in death by her husband, R.B. Cumberland and her son, Clemeth Cumberland.Survivors include her daughters, Marguerite Rhodes (Jack) of Madison, Jeanelle Burt (Dan) of Madison, Norma Ruth Williams (Parham) of Ridgeland, and Beth Branning (Lester) of Preston; sons, Raymond Cumberland (Gloria) of DeKalb and Joel Cumberland (Iva Lou) of Preston; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; sister, Judy Holton of Noxapater; and brothers, Dewey Alexander Jr. of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Cedell Alexander of Macon, and Carl Alexander of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.Pallbearers were Scott Rhodes, Jason Cumberland, Ben Robinson, Josh Cumberland, Will Cumberland, and Seth Cumberland. ------------------------------------------------------------Connie Cleo Alexander was born on September 1, 1918 to Dewey Hopson Alexander & Bealie Idealie Richardson Alexander in Winston County, MS and was the oldest of ten children. She lived in the Coy Community of Kemper County, MS since her marriage to Raymond Brantley Cumberland in 1937. They owned and operated their store, R. B. Cumberland General Merchandise Store for 67 years. They were married for 67 years until his death in 2005 and had seven children Ophelia Marguerite, Melba Jeanelle, Norma Ruth, Raymond Charles, Joel Edwin, Roy Clemeth, and Mary Beth. She was Granny to 13 grandchildren, Scott, Lynn, Kerry, Kelly, Kristen, Josh, Will, Laura, Jason, Lori Ellen, Seth, Ben, & Amy, and 26 great-grandchildren, McKenna, Piper, Jenny, Thomas, Ryan, Avery, Sarah Beth, Sadie, Katie, Tyler, Hunter, Miranda, Nathan, Sam, Madi, Xander, Davis, Sibil Claire, Raina, Leela, Shaun, Brantley Morgan, Lexie, Georgia Kate, Grace, & Ellen. Granny was an excellent cook, known especially for her biscuits, fried pies, and fried chicken, and had to feed everyone who came in her home. She received her eternal reward on Monday, December 29, 2014 at her home in the Coy Community at age 96.

In her later years, she enjoyed hearing Sam play the violin and me play the piano. Her favorite song was "Red River Valley." We gave Granny one final concert by playing that song at her funeral. She left a great legacy to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a long-time member of Coy United Methodist Church. She had a strong Christian faith, which was evident in how she lived her life. She always kept her faith, no matter what life threw at her. She loved the Lord and is now in His presence for eternity.