George Herman Cumberland

George Herman Cumberland, 96, went to be with the Lord on January 5, 2026. George is survived by his children, Herman Mitchell “Mickey” Cumberland and wife Sue of Brandon, MS and Renee’ Cumberland Brantley and husband Tim of Brandon, MS, three grandsons, Kyle Brantley and wife Holly of Brandon MS, Kalen Brantley and wife Stephanie of San Luis Obispo, CA and Andrew “Drew” Cumberland of Brandon, MS, two great grandchildren, Hudson Brantley and Maggie Brantley of Brandon, MS and one sister Nora Lee “Frances” Cumberland Bruce of Philadelphia, MS. He is preceded in death by his wife, Frances Webb Cumberland, his parents John Elmer Cumberland and Nora Elcy Martin Cumberland, his sisters, Luva Dee Cumberland Matthews, Willie Hazel Cumberland Morrow, Annie Ruth Cumberland Moore, his brothers Cleo Olvin Cumberland and Johnnie Leverne Cumberland.

George was born at the beginning of the Great Depression on June 4, 1929, in Linwood community of

Neshoba County, Mississippi. He was the son of John and Nora Cumberland. He married Sara Frances Webb January 13, 1951, and they moved to Rankin County where they spent the rest of their lives. He started his professional career as a salesman for many of the large car and truck dealerships in the area. George then worked for the Rankin County Sheriff’s department for 41 years, full time for 30 years and part time for another 11 years, serving as deputy in the administrations of Sheriffs J B Torrence, Ken Dickerson, Ronnie Pennington and Brian Bailey. He not only called all of these men his boss but his friends. George was a hard-working person and loved his job. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant and was known as “Rankin 7”. He had many friends, and it seems that he knew everyone in Rankin County, and they knew him as well. People would ask him why he worked so long and did not retire. He would reply, “It beats following that plow stock with Mae all day long.” You see Mae was his mule. Because he worked so hard he did not have many hobbies other than gardening, but he did love spending his free time with his family. The Neshoba County Fair was the highlight of his year. There he would spend the whole week and enjoyed visiting with old friends and family. Countless hours were spent talking, laughing and sitting on the porch swings at the family Cabin 124. Another thing he looked forward to was going to his condo at Gulf Shores, Alabama. There was more sitting and visiting with family, but this time overlooking the beautiful Gulf of American. Many wonderful memories were made that his family will carry with them forever. One thing he believed in and wanted to pass along to family, friends and anyone that would listen was to work hard and save your money and one day you will have something. A philosophy that served him well all of his 96 years.

George was baptized at an early age and was a member of First Baptist Church in Brandon for many years. He was a Mason for75 years.

Services for Mr. Cumberland will be held at Ott and Lee Funeral home in Brandon, MS, Saturday, January 10th at 3:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Crestview Memorial Gardens in Brandon, MS.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the building fund of the First Baptist Church in Brandon, MS or a charity of your choosing.

Our sincere gratitude goes out to the wonderful staff of Wisteria Gardens Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, that lovingly cared for him since January of 2024.