Margaret Gold Cummings, 85, died peacefully Monday, July 31, 2023, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Shelby. She had been in declining health for some time.

Margaret was valedictorian of the Shelby High School class of 1955 and later earned degrees from Gardner-Webb University, Limestone University, and Appalachian State University.

Margaret was a well-known and popular teacher in Cleveland County, having instructed hundreds of students in English, drama, and psychology at Shelby High School, Crest High School, and Cleveland Community College. She was also a loving mother and grandmother who especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

Margaret was born in Rutherford County on October 3, 1937, to the late Griffin and Ellie Campbell Gold. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James L. (Jim) Cummings, sons John A. Cummings and James D. (Danny) Cummings, and brothers James Gold, Robert Gold, Dan Gold, and Doug Gold.

She is survived by her son, Mark Cummings, and his wife, Laura; two brothers, Bill Gold and wife, Pat of Forest City, N.C. and Phil Gold and wife, Diana of Columbia, S.C.; one sister, Elizabeth Revels of Shelby; four grandchildren, Jonathan Cummings of Hope Mills, N.C., Nicholas Cummings, and wife, Rachel of Hendersonville, N.C., Allison Cummings, and husband, Victor Heorhiadi of Seattle, WA, and Christopher Cummings of Apex, N.C.; and one great-grandchild, Mia Cummings of Hope Mills, N.C. In addition, she enjoyed an extended family of Gold and Cummings aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A commemoration of her life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Westview Baptist Church, 500 Melody Lane, Shelby, NC 28152 with Dr. Rick Bowling officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Westview Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be made at cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.