James Elvis Cumbest, 85, died Friday, November 23, 2012. He was born on November 20, 1927, and was a lifelong resident of Cumbest Bluff, Mississippi. Elvis was the son of Roy O. Cumbest and Mattie Cauley Cumbest. He graduated Wade High School in 1946 and for a time taught school there. He attended Perkinston Junior College (now Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College), and then worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding Co. Later he began his career at Cumbest Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Cumbest Sawmill) a company his father, Roy, started in 1939 in the Cumbest Bluff Community of Jackson County. Upon the death of his father, he and his two brothers, Lum and Hillard were the owner-operators of the Sawmill until they retired and closed the operation in 1998. He was the Vice President of the company.
Mr. Cumbest was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Mattie Cumbest, and his brothers Lum Cumbest, and Hillard Cumbest.
On December 15, 1948, he married his wife of almost 64 years, Ida Mae Davis Cumbest. He is survived by Ida Mae, by two sons, Elvis Mark Cumbest (wife, Pamela), and James Brent Cumbest, (wife, Patti), four grandchildren, Grant Cameron Cumbest and Reid Garrison Cumbest, (the sons of Mark and Pam), and Rachel Anne Cumbest, and Anna Caroline Cumbest (the daughters of Brent and Patti). Elvis was a Christian man and a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He was an active lifelong member of Caswell Springs United Methodist Church. He served on the Administrative Board of the church since the early 1950’s and was recognized in 1992 by the Board for 33 years of continuous service as the Board’s Vice Chairman. He was an active member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class and the Thursday Morning Men’s Prayer Group at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church. He was a member of East Central Lodge #631, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, , and a charter member of Joppa Shrine Temple. In 2010, he was presented his 60 year for membership in the Masonic Lodge by the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F. & A. M.
Visitation will be Monday November 26, 2012 from 9:00 AM TO 12:00 PM at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church in Cumbest Bluff, Mississippi. The funeral service will begin at 12:00 PM with Rev. H.W. Parker and Rev. Brian Scott officiating.
Burial will be in the Caswell Springs United Methodist Cemetery with Masonic graveside rites being conducted by the East Central Masonic Lodge #631.
Pall Bearers are: Grant Cumbest, Reid Cumbest, Royce Cumbest, Halsey Cumbest, Barry Cumbest, and Don Cumbest.
Honorary Pall Bearers are the Caswell Springs Thursday Morning Men’s Prayer Group and the members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Caswell Springs United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa/ Moss Point is in charge of arrangements. You may view and sign an online register book for Mr. Cumbest at
www.heritagefuneralhome.usNot my line, just sharing.