Gustavia (Cummings) Parsons

It is with sympathy, the management and staff of Slater's Funeral Home, Inc. announce the passing of Mrs. Gustavia Cummings-Parsons. Mrs. Parson away on Friday, August 19, 2022.

Funeral services were held on Friday, August 26, 2022 at 11:00 AM from the Griffin Memorial Chapel of Slater's Funeral Home, Milledgeville, Georgia with interment to follow from the Irwinton City Cemetery, Irwinton, Georgia. 

Gustavia (Cummings) Parsons was born on March 30, 1920 in Irwinton, Georgia to the late Will Cummings and Mincy Bell Cummings. Her siblings were Eddie, Ida Bell, Walter, Annie, Robert and Roce (all deceased). She was the youngest daughter and very close to her mother.

At an early age, she attended Saint Paul C.M.E. Church in Irwinton. “Gussie,” as she was affectionally known as, loved her family and was especially close to her niece Mary Mabry. Her formal education began in a one-room schoolhouse, and then she attended and graduated high school in Irwinton. She studied Home Economics at Fort Valley State College for one
year.

Gussie was a long-time resident of Brooklyn, New York where she met and married Willard Gilbert Parsons, Sr. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Annette and Franzella. She was a homemaker and later worked various jobs. She was a great cook – known for her mac and cheese and layer cake with caramel icing.

Upon retirement, she resided in senior housing and was very active in the local Brooklyn community. She served in the tenant patrol program and was the floor captain in her building. She had many friends there.

She was a member of New Gethsemane Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York where she sang in the choir and served on the missionary board and mother's board.
In October 2016, she returned to Georgia to live with her daughter Annette. She enjoyed services at Bethesda Baptist Church in Austell, Georgia and especially loved when Paster Johnson sang those old gospel hymns. In addition to her love for singing and gospel music, she was a true diva and trendsetter – even had gold framed around her front teeth – long before grills were popular. She always wanted to look her best. Her hair done, nails painted, make-up done and styled to the “T.” When the doctors recommended that she wear orthopedic shoes, she protested, insisting that they were “ugly.” She often opted instead for a stylish flat. She was kind, but feisty, at times. She was generous and a beautiful soul.

On August 19, 2022, she passed away peacefully in her sleep at WellStar Paulding Nursing Home in Dallas, Georgia.
 

Gussie is survived by her two children Annette Watson and Franzella Parsons, 4 grandsons – Khary, Din, Amir Carroll, and Jahi Watson; 1granddaughter/twin Ayanna Watson-Caffe; 1 great-granddaughter Sarabi Nicole Carroll; her grandniece Mary Wells; her grandnephew George (Ricky) Williams; cousin Michael Cummings (grandson of Robert Riley Cummings); and many grands, great grands, great great grand nieces and nephews, and many cousins. She will be greatly missed. Heaven has gained an angel.

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