Delzo Anita Cummings

DELZO ANITA HOWARD, daughter of the late Nelson and Swannie Howard of North Carolina, was born on September 21, 1955. She was raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where she graduated from Eastern High School on June 15, 1973. While in high school, she worked at the Holiday Inn Baltimore, where she met some of the singing groups that performed at what was called the Civic Center. She truly enjoyed singing herself and actually placed in some of the talent shows in which se participated. After graduation, she attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she graduated with a degree in education. It was in college where she met her future husband Ron Ryan Cummings, Sr. The two were married and to this union were born two children, Ronnie Ryan Cummings, Jr. and Christina Cummings. Next to singing, Delzo also enjoyed traveling and one of the most memorable places that she and Ron Sr. visited was Rome, Italy. She often spoke of the beautiful architecture of the buildings that she had seen while there. They also traveled to Texas, North Carolina and California. After visiting California on several occasions, Delzo decided to make it her home. She loved the glamour of Hollywood and often toured the sets of some of the television shows that she enjoyed watching. Some of her other hobbies included bowling, roller-skating, playing various musical instruments and reading. Speaking of reading, she embraced it so much that she taught Ron, Jr. how to read before he began preschool. She helped him to memorize nursery rhymes, which he would proudly recited for family members and friends. Later, she did the same for Christina, instilling in both of them the value of a good education. And she didn’t feed her little ones a lot of junk food. She made sure that they ate healthy snacks like carrots, apples and grapes. Spending most of her adult years in California, Delzo grew quite accustomed to walking to most of her destinations. Unfortunately, this routine proved to be a contributing factor to her demise. While walking across the street at a crosswalk at Florence Avenue and Santa Fe in Huntington Park, her innocent life was snatched form her when she was struck by a hit and run driver about 7:20 p.m. on October 12, 2010. Her oldest brother, Nelson I. Howard, Jr. preceded her in death. Now left behind to cherish her loving memories are: her ex-husband, Ron Cummings, Jr. and Christina Cummings; two brothers, Eldridge M. Howard and Wynford T. Howard with wife, Vera; one sister, Regina Grimes with husband, Thomas and children; Jasmine, Justin, Ashley and Hollie; two aunts, Mary K. Barnes and Marguerite James and host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Delzo Anita Cummings

September 21, 1955 - October 12, 2010