Stewart E. "Buddy" Cumbest, Jr.

Stewart E. “Buddy” Cumbest, 86, of Hurley, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on June 20, 2024. He was born in the Three Rivers community on August 9, 1937.

He was preceded in death by his parents Stewart Cumbest and Louetta Fairley-Cumbest; siblings Mavis Bangs, Gladys Tompkins and Wynan Cumbest; and daughter Teresa Orso.

Buddy is survived by Judith Cumbest, his wife of 67 years who ensured he was the best-fed man in these parts; daughters Hope (Gareth) Clary and Suzette Cumbest; son-in-law Robert Orso; and sisters Elsie Goff, Catherine “Tiny” (Wayne) Johnson, Sarah Barnes, and Evelyn Ussery.

He was beloved “Poppa” to five grandchildren – Logan Delgado, Shaffer (Nathalie) Orso, Lauren Orso, Trevor (Kayce) Clary, and Daphne (Matthew) Bragg, as well as five great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons. Many nieces and nephews knew they could always count on their “Uncle Buddy.”

Buddy retired from Ingalls Shipbuilding after 41 years of service on the East Bank and West Bank facilities as a chipper, driller, and tank tester, taking particular pride in working on some of the first nuclear submarines built at the Pascagoula shipyard. For years, he drove a van full of Ingalls employees to and from the Hurley area to work.

He was a skilled craftsman who could build anything and fix anything, spending a lot of his free time amid the wide array of tools in his shop.

Buddy was among the founding fathers of the East Central Volunteer Fire Department in 1963 and served as the assistant fire chief for most of his 45 years of community service, responding faithfully at all hours to countless fires and vehicle accidents. The volunteer fire station in Hurley was dedicated in honor of him and Howard Duer, recognizing their dedicated work and leadership in the fire department.

One of his favorite responsibilities with the fire department was helping organize and execute the annual Hurley Christmas parade where he often drove the fire engine carrying Santa Claus.

To many people in the region, Buddy was “The Sweet Potato Man.” Each fall for nearly 20 years after his retirement, he would make multiple treks to Vardaman, Mississippi, to load his trailer with 40-pound boxes of those extra special taters to sell from his home. He meticulously set up his operation under his carport and looked forward each year to catching up with hundreds of repeat customers.

His vegetable gardens were always weedless and bountiful, generously sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends.

Visitation will be held at Magnolia Springs Assembly of God in Hurley on Sunday, June 23, from 5-7 p.m., followed immediately by the funeral service at 7 p.m., with Rev. Rodney Coleman and Rev. Mike McLeod officiating. A graveside service will be held at 10 am Monday, June 24, at the Magnolia Springs Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Trevor Clary, Shaffer Orso, Brian Rubino, Melroy Slider, Rodney Johnson and Robert Orso, with honorary pallbearers Gareth Clary, Keith Slider, Tommy Tompkins, Jerry Baker, Jimmy White, Alex Delgado, Beni Delgado, and Charles Bush.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Gideons International at Gideons International | Donate

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com