Emma Kate Cummings

Nineteen years ago, on January 29, 2003, this world was made a better place. Emma Kate Cummings was gifted to Chris and Melissa Cummings and big sister Olivia Cummings. Her arrival and existence in this world blessed her extended family which is made up of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. Many have and will continue to come together in this time to support our family that is heartbroken over the loss of a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend. But for Emma we want more than pain, grief, and sadness. With every bit of our hearts we want you to know our Emma. Our beautiful, entertaining, spunky, talented, loving, giving, caring, spirited, thoughtful Emma. We love her so much … and our lives are richer and better because we know that she loved us. As a young girl, Emma was always the life of the party. She entertained us with her wonderful laugh, beautiful singing voice, love of music and outrageous outfits. She also had a love for theatre and drama and had an incredible knack for accents and impersonations. As a soccer player, photographer, and chess player, she appreciated opportunities to challenge herself, to learn and achieve. She took on new skills like learning to bake during the years of the Covid pandemic, at which she excelled greatly. She was able to have many exciting and meaningful experiences, including trips to Los Angeles and New York City through Make-A-Wish and Dreams and Wishes of East Tennessee. She loved to dress up and show her style … and while she was going through the weariness and side effects of cancer treatments, she would don her funky wigs and fancy eyelashes, showing everyone how to stay in the fight and live life with “everything you got.” She was authentic and genuine in her love for life, and she shared this infectious passion of hope and positivity with all who met and knew her. Emma LOVED to laugh and wanted others to know the joy of laughter. Emma kept life going for those around her. Her love did not stop with people … she also loved animals, and they loved her. Animals are great judges of character, and they know a good human being when they see one. Emma was a fighter! She fought for herself, and she fought for others. Her battles with cancer occurred during what should have been the best years of her life. While some of us will mourn that her life has been cut too short, Emma made the time she had on this Earth count! She and her friends organized a “Black Lives Matter” gathering that sparked a movement with hundreds of people attending. She did this while going through chemo because she was passionate about fairness and equality … because she knew how much LIFE REALLY DOES MATTER for each and every person. She influenced others to take a stand for the good and the right. She lived through extraordinary days and circumstances but found purpose in being present in ordinary ways too. She was involved with and served her community in many ways. She was a part of the audio-visual and chess teams at school. She was also an enthusiastic volunteer at Life Care Centers of America. In fact, she was awarded Youth Volunteer of the Year in America for the service, love, and compassion she gave to others, all while battling cancer. So today … we hold steadfast to the cherished memories and experiences we had with this precious soul that our Creator blessed us with. We hold steadfast to the faith and hope of Glory that we shared with our Emma. Our lives here on Earth are changed … not only because she has left us for now … but more importantly because she was here with us and for those moments and years, we thank God! Emma went to Walker Valley High School and was employed by Tropical Smoothie Café where the management and staff were phenomenal throughout her journey. Emma was preceded in her Journey to Heaven by her grandfathers, Sonny Cummings, and Cotton Presswood. In addition to her parents, Chris and Melissa, and her sister, Olivia, those left to cherish Emma’s memory, and live out her influence in this world, are her grandmothers, Shelby Cummings Presswood, and Susan Gale, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins , and her “second family”, the Ito Family. A Remembrance of Life Service will be held Tuesday at 3pm May 31, 2022 at Cookson Creek Baptist Church with family and friends sharing. The interment will follow at the church cemetery. Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee St. Chapel has charge of the arrangements.Read Obituary