Maxine Cumbest Davis

Pearl “Maxine” Cumbest Davis, 82, of Cumbest Bluff died peacefully November 10, 2014. Maxine was born in the Mississippi Delta on June 9, 1932 to Jesse and Pearl Watson. She moved to Northeast Jackson County (Salem Community) in middle childhood and graduated from Wade High School in 1950. She married Oris Cumbest in April of 1952 and they shared life together for 51 years until Oris’ death in January 2004. Oris and Maxine had four children, seven grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. In November of 2005 she married a life long friend, Glynn Davis of Vancleave. Ms. Maxine to most, Maxie to those closest to her, was an avid gardener and bird watcher, often sharing gladiolas and roses from her yard with neighbors and friends. She loved beautiful music and her home was filled with the sound of her whistling or singing favorite songs and cherished hymns. After raising her children, she began painting landscapes. No one came to Maxie’s table without having been lovingly served meals with her delicious cakes, breads and cobblers or her special sausage biscuits with homemade may haw jelly or cane syrup. She was a member of Caswell Springs United Methodist Church where she gave many hours of her time and talent. As a young adult she served as a co-leader of the Young Married Sunday School Class. This very active group, now in their 70s, continue to share their lives serving their church and community. She was a Sunday School teacher, UMYF helper, Council on Ministries chair, Administrative Board member and choir member. She made costumes for Christmas pageants and musicals; Chrismon ornaments for the Christmas tree, piecrust and gumbo roux for the fair booth and also kept the church bulletin board current. She was a Lay Shepherd visiting the sick and shut-ins, a Confirmation mentor and chair of the worship committee. She loved her church and community and willingly gave many hours of service. Maxine had a gentle, sweet nature and will be remembered most for her love of Christ and of others. She is preceded in death by her parents Jesse Watson and Pearl Sparks Watson; husband Oris Denver Cumbest; her son Nicholas Gill Cumbest of Cumbest Bluff; brothers Robert Lee Watson of Salem Community; Raymond Watson of Escatawpa, and sister Ida Mae Watson McLeod of Salem Community. She is survived by her husband Glynn Davis of Vancleave, her children Rev. David (& wife Pattie) Cumbest of Hurley; Lisa (& husband Gary) Michiels of Biloxi; Rev Chris (& wife Rev Sheila) Cumbest of Brandon; her brother J. R. “Bud” Watson of Hurley; her grandchildren Lee (& wife Tammy) Cumbest of Cumbest Bluff; Emmie Cumbest Jones of Sacramento, CA; Hillary (& husband Randy) Michiels Hanning of New Orleans, LA; Beau (& wife Michelle) Michiels of Big Sky, MT; Matthew Michiels of Nashville, TN; Elizabeth (& husband Phillip) Cumbest Byrd of Cumbest Bluff; Jesse Cumbest of Cumbest Bluff and seven great-grandchildren, Tanner, Christina, Hayden and Jaguard Cumbest, Mason and Ella Michiels and Beau Hanning. The family would like to thank the Singing River Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of Pascagoula Precious Moments unit for their love and care the last few years of her life. Visitation will be held this Friday, November 14, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Holder Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point. A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church in Cumbest Bluff with the Rev. Kevin Bradley officiating. Friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Maxine’s grandsons and great grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow in the Caswell Springs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her name to Caswell Springs United Methodist Church or to the MS Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association.

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Maxine Cumbest Davis

June 9, 1932 - November 10, 2014