He was a good baby. As time went on, he was still quite small. He liked to work picture puzzles. As he grew older, he was interested in sports: Baseball; football; basket-ball. Also he liked to go fishing and hunting with his father.
He started to school at the age of five. At the Longfellow School, in the kinder-garden, he was not very talkative, so at first he was a little shy. But soon he had many friends and he liked all kinds of pets. Because he was quiet, no one could tell what he was thinking, but he had many friends.
As time went on he was promoted each year from one grade to another. Until, at last, he was ready to finish the sixth grade and ready to enter the seventh grade at West Intermediate in 1957.
His teacher, the School Board, and the County Superintendent arraigned for the sixth grade scholars to spend the last week at Crispell Lake. They were to take the exams and have a nice time.
They started out on their trip on June the third, early in the morning, very happy, and full of energy. They had their lessons, then swimming, boat riding, and fishing. On the fifth of June, the boys were fishing and Philip caught the largest fish--which made him the champion fisherman. This made him very happy.
On the sixth of June, after classes and lunch, Philip and one of his classmates went out for a boat ride. Philip accidentally lost his oar and he jumped in to get it. He could not get back in the boat. He went down and was drowned.
This was a bad shock to all who knew him. It was a huge loss to the family. It left a vacant place that never can be filled. There isn’t anyone that can take his place. The memory of him will always be in our hearts and we will remember him as he was -- a vibrant, intelligent, caring boy.
His name was called and he answered the call. So let us live so when our name is called we will be ready to answer the call. We all loved him very much. God loved him more. So He called and Philip answered and crossed to the other shore. Let us all live so when our name is called we can answer the call and happily cross to the other shore to meet our Savior and our loved ones that have gone before us to the Great Beyond.
When we read of these tragedies it makes us feel very bad. But when it is one of our dear loved ones, it is a very heavy load to carry. These things are for some purpose and God does not give us a cross we cannot bear.
This is in memory of my grandson, Philip Cummings.
-Etta Lashley
