Troy Cummings

I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 

                                                                                                                     II Timothy 4: 7-8

Mr. Troy “Sunny” Cummings peacefully departed this earthly life on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at The McLeod Hospice House, Florence South Carolina. He was born in Florence, South Carolina on October 11, 1941, to the late William and Eula Mae Graham Cummings.

Sunny, as he was affectionately called, received his education in the Florence County Public Schools, graduating from Wilson High School Class of 1959 where he excelled in Brick Masonry under the tutorship of Mr. James Hammonds, Vocational Instructor. He was a Master Brick Mason and was employed with Daniel Construction Company for many years where they built the GE Plant, and he traveled extensively with the company. Sunny, along with others, did the brick work on his home church, St. Matthews Church of God in Christ Jesus, Apostolic.

Sunny collected and refurbished antique cars as a hobby, which encouraged him to attend Florence -Darlington Technical College and obtain his Refrigerant Certification so that he could maintain and service the air conditioning systems in his cars. Many friends and relatives can attest to his skills which helped them save money on their cars. He later became employed by Laz-Boy in Florence as an Upholsterer. He remained there until he became disabled. However, this did not stop him from visiting family and friends, helping others or tinkering around the house repairing his cars or fixing something. He was known as the “go to guy” in the community. If you needed freon in your car or needed some small brick work done, It was not uncommon for folks (lawyers, doctors, nurses, preachers, etc.) to call him day or night for help. 

Sunny was a simple man. He did not seek fame or prestige, but only to live, love, tease and joke with family, friends and all his nieces and nephews, especially his niece, Dr. Twyla Cummings, who explained health diagnosis to his family and was determined to get her “Uncle Sunny” to behave and follow his doctor’s orders. There are many today whose lives trajectory has been changed for the better from what “Sunny,” “Mr. Troy,” “Uncle Sunny,” Uncle Troy,” Uncle T-roy” or “Bro. Troy,” has told them or showed them throughout their lives. He loved Family, Especially Family Reunions. He was known as the Cummings Family Historian because he visited senior family members and got the history from them before it was lost or forgotten. Family members across the country would call him to see how they were related to someone in the family or where they fell on the Cummings Family Tree. He and his cousin, Royal “Bro” Cummings were instrumental in getting the first Cummings Family Reunion started in South Carolina and it spread to other states.

Sunny accepted Christ at an early age at St. Matthews Church of God in Christ Jesus, Apostolic where he sang on the Gospel Choir under the leadership of the late Bishop Frank B. Saunders. Troy loved to sing and listen to his gospel music, and He loved his country music too. Despite health challenges that prevented him from attending church in person, he would sing and talk of the goodness of the Lord and expressed gratitude for all that God had done in his life. His favorite song and one that he is often asked to sing at funerals was “I had Time.”

Sunny was preceded in death by his parents, two sister, Gladys C. Montgomery, Vernitta G. Robinson, and one brother, Joe Nathan Cummings. His presence in all our lives will be greatly missed.

Sunny leaves to cherish his precious memories his devoted and caring sister Mariscia (James) Cooper Darlington, SC; his children, Claudia L. Herbert of Fredericksburg, Va.; Tonya (Raymond) Chilsom) of Savannah, Georgia; Chanda Littleton, Raleigh, North Carolina; and Troy C. Cummings of Myrtle Beach, SC; Five grandchildren, Nicky (Antonio) Brown, Jimmy Bennett, and DeQuincy ( Shamaya) Bennett all of Atlanta, Georgia; Raymond Chilsom, Jr. of Savannah, Ga.; and Julian Littleton of Raleigh, North Carolina, and five great-grandchildren. Three dedicated and loving brothers, Dr. Bill (Rosetta) Cummings of Charlotte, NC; Dr. Gerald (Terry) Cummings of Atlanta, Ga; Michael Cummings of Lugoff, SC. And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended relatives and friends.

A special thanks to his cousin, Royal Cummings, and Deacon Quillie Lewis, Terry Scott, Romella Smith & Family, Claudia McDaniel and Family, Faulves Coleman & Family, Elijah & Rebecca Haynesworth, McLeod Hospice Staff and Nurses, his personal Barber, Mr. James M. Cooper. III and The entire Honorage Nursing Home Staff, and Nurses, especially Aime, Tamara, Adrian, PJ, Deangelo, and his roommate, Mr. Dixon.

Family will receive friends on Monday, September 9, 2024 from 4 PM - 7PM at the home of...

Chanda Cummings-Littleton & Tanya Cummings Chisholm, 4178 Westwind Drive, Florence, SC 29501

James & Mariscia Cummings Cooper, 4365 Hoffmeyer Road , Darlington, SC 29532

Please keep the family of Troy Cummings in your thoughts and prayers.