Joan Lilley (Shepherd) Cummings, 91, formerly of Bridge City

Joan Lilley (Shepherd) Cummings, 91, of Austin and a long-time resident of Bridge City, Texas, passed away on November 25, 2021.

Joan was born in Lacarne, Ohio on June 28, 1930, and graduated from Port Clinton High School.  She was born to Wayne Johnson Shepherd and Merville Kleinhans Shepherd.  Joan was a majorette in the Port Clinton High School Band and was a twirling instructor for a group of young girls at the Erie Ordnance Army Depot, where she met her eventual husband, Bob.

Joan was a wonderful Mother that kept us in line and often blew her whistle to call us home during the summer months.  She was an encourager, an excellent cook, and we share many of her recipes.  We still ask does anyone have Mom’s Mexican Cornbread recipe?  She was also an accomplished designer and seamstress and sewed many hours into the night especially for her daughters.

In her later 30’s, Joan was employed by Orange Savings and Loan where she made many life-long friends, and then continued on to work in Accounting at the Stark Foundation, where she was known for her rice pudding until retiring at age 72.  During these years Bob shrimped in his spare time, and she was often pressed into duty at the workday’s end to get on the phone and sell the day’s load of shrimp.

Joan and Bob spent their lifetime loving to dance.  They were regulars at the Pompano Club in Port Arthur and later at Donn’s Depot in Austin.  They danced often well into their 80’s, and they made many friends along the way.

Joan had a giving heart, a flair for decorating her home, enjoyed hosting family and friends, and she was known as “Nannie” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She always planned ahead with extras, and as young married couples we often “shopped” in her pantry and cabinets.  She always had special treats and gifts for her grandchildren when they or she came to visit.

A private celebration of Joan’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on December 4, 2021, at Beck Funeral Home in Cedar Park, Texas.  Burial will be in Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

SurvivorsJoan is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 72 years, Robert (Bob) Cummings of Austin, Texas, daughter, Barbara Boynton and husband, Charlie of Orange, Texas; son, Robert Cummings and wife, Michelle of Austin, Texas; daughter, Leigh DuBose and husband, Ben of Austin, Texas; and son, Chris Cummings and wife, Michele, of Golden, Colorado; loving sister,  Marilyn Schafer and husband, Chet, of Chandler, AZ; sister-in-law, Synnie Cummings of Ft. Meyer, FL, and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Carlson of Billings, Montana.

Grandchildren are Ryan Skinner and wife, Chelsea of Orange, TX, Cody Trahan and Patrick Wirt, of Gloucester City, NJ, Alex DuBose of Austin, TX,  Andrew DuBose of Austin, TX, Jason Cummings of Golden, CO, Kara DuBose of Austin, TX, Kelly DuBose of Austin, TX, Hannah Cummings of Austin, TX, Austin Cummings of Austin, TX, Ashley Cummings of Golden, CO, Justin Boynton and wife, Jessica of Bridge City, TX,

Jared Boynton and wife, Brittany of Manvel, TX, and Jordan Boynton and wife, Tiffany of Manvel, TX.

Great Grandchildren are Cace Skinner, Halle Skinner, Reece Skinner, Hudson Boynton, Logan Boynton, Leo Boynton, Addison Boynton, and Ellia Boynton.

Joan was preceded in death by her father, Wayne Johnson Shepherd, mother, Merville Kleinhans Shepherd, brother Bill St. Clair (all from Port Clinton, Ohio), son-in-law, William Leroy Trahan and granddaughter-in-law, Brandi Nicole Skinner.

PallbearersPallbearers are Joan’s grandsons Ryan Skinner, Cody Trahan, Alex DuBose, Andrew DuBose, Jason Cummings and Austin Cummings.