In 1912, the Girl Scouts were founded in Savannah, Woodrow Wilson won the presidency, defeating Theodore Roosevelt, and the Titanic sank in the Atlantic Ocean.

Also that year, Long County resident Alberta Shipman-Cummings was born in Bryan County. On April 26, the current Coastal Manor Long Term Care Facility resident was recognized for her long life by the Chaplain’s Corner Ministry. Chap. D’ Rayfield Shipman, senior chaplain for the ministry and Cummings’ nephew, said his aunt was a lifelong homemaker who always took care of her family.

“She always made sure her family was OK. She loved cooking for them, and she could cook anything. But she really could really muster up what I call down-home cooking like collard greens and macaroni and cheese,” Shipman said.

He said Cummings was married to the late Robert Jones. They had one daughter, Legirtha Jones, who lives in Hinesville.

Shipman presented a plaque to Cummings that will be placed at First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Hinesville. The church’s pastor, Sinclair Thorne and his wife Deloise Thorne, were at the birthday party, along with Cummings’ friend Brooks Moody.

“She was a member of our church for her whole life. I was her pastor for over 24 years, and she was always a very active member,” Thorne said.

Moody, 84, said he had known Cummings all of his life and that she was a good friend.

“I’ve known her all my life, she was at the church every Sunday, and was always a faithful member,” Moody said.

Shipman performed a lunch-time concert for Cummings and the other Coastal Manor residents and then opened presents for his aunt.
In addition to Cummings receiving presents, gifts were also given to other residents.

Shipman said his ministry is in Wilmington, Del., and works throughout the country to honor seniors and help with their needs, especially if they live in facilities like Coastal Manor. He also said that being able to honor his aunt was a treat.

“I am truly thankful for this day. She has broken all of the records for age in our family by living to be a hundred, and she is a special lady”, said Shipman.