Harold Cummins

Harold Thomas Cummins of Ozark, passed away at age 91, on December 17, 2023. He was born November 11, 1932 in the small sawmill town of Calion, Arkansas. After earning a BA from USC, and a Master of Divinity from Golden Gate Theological Seminary, he married Betty Noe Cummins of Missouri. 

Devoted lifelong Christians, Harold and Betty answered God’s call to become Baptist missionaries. With their daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth, they served three years in Bangladesh and thirty years in Kenya. 

After Betty passed away, Harold later married pastor’s widow, Phyllis Miller (stepchildren Christy and Nathaniel.) Phyllis predeceased him.

Harold leaves his brother, Jim (daughters Angie and Tina),  daughters, Cathy Palmer (husband Tim, sons Geoffrey [Katharine] and Andrei) and Libby Bennett (son, Ryan [Charlotte], daughter, Ellen [Michael], and their father, Andy). In Kenya, friends include David Masika, Pastor Sentero, and Chief James Kaloki. He had a close missionary family, as well as many friends in Springfield and Ozark. Staff of the Baptist Home cared for him lovingly. His family is so grateful for them. 

Harold had a voracious appetite for such wide-ranging topics as language (he spoke two fluently and many well enough for conversation), history, geography, archaeology, astronomy, world religions, travel, genealogy, and many more. Harold’s daughters remember his intense study of Scripture. He was a devoted, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His kindness,  gentleness, and love of Jesus will live on long after him.

Burial will be in Maple Park Cemetery, Springfield, with Harold's family officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.