Mitchell Lee Cummins

Mitchell Lee Cummins, of Frost, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. He was 63 years old. Mitch, as everyone called him, was born October 24, 1951 in Houston, and spent a great deal of his childhood on the coast. He joined the Navy when he was 18 and flew rescue helicopters in the Vietnam War; he was honorably discharged at the end of his term. Not long after returning home, he met and fell in love with Janne Brister, the love of his life. Together, they became the caregivers for Mitch’s handicapped brother, Keith, who lived with them and worked next to them in all their endeavors. Mitch was a successful entrepreneur throughout his life. In the early years of their marriage, Mitch and Janne had a thriving construction business in Houston, once traveling to Venezuela for a construction project in the early eighties. Another time, they opened and managed their own meat market. It was Mitch’s lifelong dream to own a ranch, and he realized that dream when he and Janne settled down on a property outside Frost, Texas. Together with Keith, they built their house themselves and turned the neglected piece of land into a beautiful, working ranch and farm. They were blessed with three very cherished daughters. They were happiest throwing big “get-togethers” in the clearing near their house, where family, friends, and neighbors joined them for barbeque and guitar music well into the night. Mitch had a wonderful singing voice and a natural talent for music. He played the twelve-string guitar in Chet Atkins’ complex fingerpicking style, and in those happy years, could often be found teaching himself a new song, playing alongside his father-in-law in the Grape Creek Band, or in his rocking chair, singing one of his daughters to sleep at night. Janne passed away suddenly in 2000, leaving Mitch with three young daughters to care for. He suffered from serious health problems all his life due to a fall on a construction site in his early twenties, but he persevered and worked very hard to raise the girls and give them happy childhoods, even after they’d lost their mother. He was a very devoted father, and his daughters and his legacy to them were his absolute priorities. Though it was a difficult period, he found joy riding with a local motorcycle club, fishing with his brother Keith, and taking his girls to the beach for summer vacations in their motor home. About four years ago, Mitch was diagnosed with kidney disease, which eventually progressed to renal failure. He faced his illness with the same headstrong determination he used to overcome other obstacles throughout his life, and he was a brave dialysis patient for the past two years. Mitch was known for being talkative and friendly, and was an active member of his community. He was a hard worker, caring for his home and his daughters and working on his ranch even on the last day of his life. He loved sports cars and Mexican food, making jokes and going on adventures to new places. He had travelled to five different continents in his lifetime. He had a kind and generous heart, and those who knew him often declared that he would give the shirt off his own back to help them out, if they needed it. He never recovered from losing Janne and the family is comforted that they are together again at last. Mitch is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janne Brister Cummins, his cherished father, Oscar Wayne Mitchell, and his father-in-law and dear friend, Elbert (Bert) Brister. He is survived by his three loving daughters: Ruby Al-Qasem and husband Mohammed of Dallas, Amanda Hanson and husband Charles of Frost, and Katie Cummins of Denton; his adopted daughter, Judy Thornton, of Denton; his treasured grandson, Laith Al-Qasem; his dear brother, Ira Keith Cummins, Jr.; his mother-in-law who he regarded as his own mother, Sybil June Brister; his sister-in-law Karole June Stone; and brother-in-law Steven Phillip Brister, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many dear friends too numerous to name but not forgotten. A viewing will be held for all family, friends, and community at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, in Corsicana, Texas, on Saturday evening, November 15, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Graveside service will take place on Sunday afternoon, November 16, at 2:00 pm at Dresden Cemetery. All are welcome.

Mitchell Lee Cummins

October 24, 1951 - November 11, 2014