Robert Lejay Cummings

Robert (“Bob”) Lejay Cummings passed away peacefully in Atlanta, Georgia on April 26, 2024.

A memorial service will be held at Kingsbridge Retirement Community on Saturday, June 8 at 2:00pm.

Bob was born on December 20, 1946 in Winston Salem, North Carolina to the late Zona Tysinger Cummings Mauney. During his childhood, he spent weekends and summers at his grandparents’ family farm in Lexington, North Carolina, where he cherished the breads, pies, homemade ham and sausage, and fresh fruits and vegetables cooked by his grandmother (Minnie Jones Tysinger) — in a wood oven, without recipes or measuring cups. During this time, he also fell in love with the outdoors by spending time in nature hunting and fishing with his grandfather (Dolphus Tysinger).

Bob grew up in High Point, North Carolina and graduated from the Georgia Military Academy in 1965. He originally planned to pursue a career in music, having discovered his passion for performance as the string bass player in three bands (including The Crestwoods) starting his sophomore year of high school. His life changed course when he enlisted in the army in 1967 and served as an Infantry Sergeant in Vietnam, earning several metals and a bronze star. Bob was grateful for the skills, resilience, and other life lessons he learned during his tour; but, like many combat soldiers, he also carried the marks of war with him for the remainder of his life.

After returning from Vietnam, Bob received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1972 and graduated in the top 10% of his class at Wake Forrest University Law School in 1975 with the support of the GI Bill. He subsequently joined a small law firm in Clinton, North Carolina and later moved to and practiced law in Morehead City, North Carolina. Bob never feared taking an unpopular or underdog case because he believed every client deserved their day in court. During his free time, he was an avid reader, an excellent photographer, and he loved spending time boating, fishing, and watching birds.

After he retired, Bob continued to enjoy his hobbies, had opportunities to travel and live abroad, connected with other veterans, and treasured his children and grandchildren. He beamed with pride, when sharing with anyone who would lend him an ear, what his children and grandchildren were up to and how proud he was of each of them.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Zona Tysinger Cummings Mauney, and his first wife, Helen McCarthy Cummings. He is survived by his former wife Mei Yan of Raleigh, North Carolina; his children James (Sydney) Cummings of Morehead City, North Carolina, Janet (Roberto) Cummings of Atlanta, Georgia, and Sarah (Xavier) Yan Cummings of Raleigh, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Rob, Adam, and Elena; his siblings Len (Rachel) Cummings and Susan Cummings; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at the Kingsbridge Retirement Center and at Albert’s House Sandpiper for enabling the final year of Bob’s journey to be filled with community, connection, joy, kindness, and compassion.

In remembrance of Bob’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to The Warrior Alliance.