In Loving Memory of Mary Alice Cummings

August 12, 1931 – July 24, 2021

Mary Alice Curry Thurman Cummings

Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints and to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Mary Alice Curry was born on August 12, 1931 in Franklin, Texas. She was the third of four children born to the union of the late Will Curry Sr. and Clara Mitchell Curry.

Mary’s youth was spent between the small town of Ennis and Fort Worth, Texas. She accepted Christ and was Baptized at an early age and began her Christian journey.

In 1950, Mary became a proud graduate of I. M. Terrell High School the first free public school for Africian-Americans in Fort Worth, Texas. She continued her education for the next two years at Prairie View A & M, a public historically black land-grant university, located in Prairie View, Texas.

In June of 1952, Mary became Mary Alice Thurman when she was joined in holy matrimony with her high school sweetheart, the late Joseph W. Thurman. In July of 1953 they made Seattle their home. This 17 year union was blessed with five boys. Mary also continued her Christian walk by first joining Mt. Zion Baptist Church and later becoming a member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully until COVID.

Mary started her career at the Boeing Company in 1956, while raising her boys. She remained at Boeing until 1970 and in July of 1971 she met and married her second husband, the late Gardner S. Cummings and became Mary Alice Cummings. During their 26 years of marriage, Mary was employed in various capacities with Seattle Public Schools. It was her husband Gardner who actively supported and encouraged Mary to pursue her lifelong dream to complete and further her education. In 1977, she received a Bachelors of Arts from Western Washington University and in 1993 a Masters of Education from City University. She finished her career as an Elementary School Teacher and Principal Designee and retired in June of 1997 which was followed by the December 1997 passing of her husband Gardner.

Mary's earthly journey ended on July 24, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents Will and Clara Curry. Her first husband and the father of her five sons, Joseph W. Thurman. Her son Gregory. Her second husband and best friend Gardner S. Cummings. Three siblings; Will Jr, Joe Sr and Linda, their children, Joe Jr, Vernita, Harley and Duan.

Left behind to cherish her memories are her four sons Joseph Jr (Jan), Michael, Jeffrey and Steven (Chun-Tay). Step-sons Vaughn and Dale. Grandchildren Justin, Joy (Nicolas), Taleia, Aleece, Isaiah and Cymone. Great-grandchildren; Andersyn, Harper and Georgia. Nieces, nephews, TMBC Sanctuary Choir, her Meredith Mathews YMCA Family, a host of life long bonds and special friends

VIEWING (Open to all): Thursday Aug 5, 2021 from 11:00a-1:00p and 4:00p-7:00p; Friday Aug 6, 2021 from 9a-10:30a at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home - 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133

MEMORIAL SERVICE and INTERMENT: in-person services with limited capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions. To be held on Friday Aug 6, 2021 at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and Abbey View Memorial Park. All are invited to attend the virtual Memorial Service on Facebook LIVE, Friday Aug 6, 2021 from 11:00a-1:00p at https://www.facebook.com/TMBCSeattle

CELEBRATION OF LIFE (Open to all - Outdoor event): Saturday Aug 7, 2021 from 1:00p-5:00p at the MLK FAME Community Center - 3201 E. Republican St., Seattle, WA 98112. We will be under the covered basketball court.