The Girl Who Never Quit

1941A.D! No one would have expected me to be writing my memoirs and including two generations of grandparents, who were slaves, as continuing spirits that helped to influence and shape my life-path.  The world experienced a transformation between the birth of my great-great-grandfather Alex Thompson, Sr., in 1812 and my birth in 1941.

            I am who I am because of the value system of my ancestors.  Our greatest attribute is our vision, support, and legacy to assure an educated populace and to provide effective leadership and service to the people within our living and working environment, even beyond our physical reach.

            We all believed in fostering successful work ethics and that an honest livelihood must be earned.  I continue to value our connection to the natural things that have been a part of us--fields, woods, animals, land, wind, and water.  I cherish the environment they produced and the appreciation for many things they left me: the beauty of nature, the joy of family, and for the faith that sustains me in the tough times.  They taught me that with “Determination to succeed, you will succeed.”

            One evening while spending some time in rural Robeson County enjoying an evening walk, my reflections returned to my ancestors and the country life I enjoyed as a child and young adult living in the Hilly Branch community seven miles south of Lumberton, North Carolina.  Those reflections took me through sixty-two precious years of a beautiful life here on Almighty God’s created earth.  This experience was my inspiration to begin what is now my autobiography, The Girl Who Never Quit.

            My personal memoir is all about the life story of a determined soul, Frances Gretchen  McArthur Cummings, who had her humble beginnings in rural Robeson growing up on the farm and picking forty pounds of cotton at the age of four.  You will  meet a child far beyond her years of life on this earth who at five years of age in second      grade was ready to meet the challenges head-on and to be more than a conqueror. 

            The unforgettable journey that has brought me to this place in my existence has not been totally easy or restful.  The tears sometimes came at night, but the sun shone brightly in the morning with the receiving of joy and peace.

            There were times, circumstances, and situations during my life that brought me to my knees.  I wondered if I could make it or if I should give up on my goals and aspirations.  Within my heart and soul, I knew I had what it took to overcome and I never did quit.  I held on to the ‘Hand of Faith.’      

            Writing my life story was an inspiration from Almighty God.  Therefore, I thanked Him constantly and prayed for grace and mercy to accept what He directed me to write throughout these pages.  I knew that I would have the courage and wisdom to face my inner-self and move to a higher level after this experience.  I felt that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I could only come to the realization of my hopes and dreams.

            My memoirs will take the reader through ten phases of my life from birth to sixty-three years of age, having gone from baby Frances in 1941 to a successful state  representative in the North Carolina General Assembly, the only female to have been elected in the history of Robeson County, and finally into the life of retirement.

            Share with me what life is like being the wife of a minister, a mother, church and community leader, a master teacher, and at the same time a two-time elected president of the largest teachers/educators organization in the state, prior to ending a twenty-three year marriage.

            Breaking the barriers of segregation at the local high school in 1965 was not without demonstrated hatred and prejudice from individuals who were not ready to accept change.  Examine how I used these flaws as stepping stones to the future.

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