Henry Leland Cummins was born in Pickins County, Alabama, on October 9, 1905. He is the son of David Henry and Elizabeth Price Cummins. The family moved to town (Gordo) when Leland was 1 year old, and his father went into the mercantile business. Leland attended the public schools of Gordo and after graduation from Gordo High, he attended Tupelo Military Academy. He later transferred to Alabama Polytechnic Institute where he received his BS Degree in Business Education in 1927.
During his job search, Leland learned of Opp through a family friend and sent a letter of application to Mr. Charles Mizell, President of Opp’s First National Bank. Shortly after, Leland received a letter from Mr. Mizell with instructions to be in Opp on August 30 and commence work at the bank on September 1, 1927. Leland’s starting salary was $75 a month, and he got a room at the Dalton Boarding House at the corner of East Ida Avenue and College Street. Leland worked with the bank from 1927 until 1936, when he was appointed to the position of Postmaster. During his years working for the bank, he received nothing but praise from his fellow employees. He was more than a banker; he was part of an institution which believed its role was to support and contribute to the community.
Shortly after coming to Opp, Leland met Lillian McDavid. They were married in 1928. Leland and Lillian built their house at Park and Spurlin (1938) and they lived there for more than fifty-four years. One daughter, Pat, came to live with them in 1950.
Leland was appointed Postmaster for Opp in December 1936 and served in that capacity until his retirement in April 1971. When Leland took over the post office, it had just recently been moved to East Hart Avenue from Railroad Avenue (East Covington now). Opp was rated as a Village Post Office, but due to Leland’s efforts, Opp Was able to get a new Post Office. Mr Cummins treated every employee with the utmost respect, and they in turn respected him. Anyone who worked for Mr. Cummins will say that it was a privilege to work for him. As one former employee so aptly put it, “He firmly believed the best motivation was by example.” Even though he was Postmaster, he was willing to do anything from custodial to clerical duties.
Realizing the need for a Chamber of Commerce, Leland and other business leaders invited Chamber members from neighboring towns to come to Opp and speak to groups. Not everyone shared the vision for a better Opp, and it was difficult at first to gain the unanimous support desired, but a small group did form a Chamber of Commerce with Leland serving as volunteer Secretary/Treasurer and Lillie serving as Executive Secretary. The chamber existed in informal structure from 1939 to 1947, when a charter was granted and officers elected. Mrs. Cummins ran the Chamber for the next eighteen years, from a small office-room at the Rye Boarding House on East Hart Avenue. Leland was very involved with the chamber through all this time. Older businesspeople credit the Cummins’ with the creation of the Opp Chamber of Commerce.
Leland was also instrumental in organizing and chartering a Rotary Club for Opp. He has remained a very active member for fifty-four years and was the first Opp Rotary member to be elected a Paul Harris Fellow. Leland has been involved with his community in countless ways. He was a charter member of Opp United Funds, and before this was organized, he served as Chairman of the Red Cross Drives, Crippled Children drives and War Bond drives. He was custodian of the Covington County School funds during the time of Dr. Keller and Dr. Norton’s tenure as County Schools Superintendent. He was a member of the Mizell Memorial Hospital Board of Directors for many years. Because of his interest and leadership in community activities, he has often been referred to as “Mr. Chamber of Commerce”.
Leland has been a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1927. He has held many leadership positions in his church Sunday School teacher, treasurer and Sunday School Superintendent. He was a lay leader, a member of the Men’s Bible Class, and served on the Board of Trustees. He was a charter member of the Methodist Men’s Club which he helped to organize.
Leland Cummins is a quiet, efficacious man with a desire to improve the quality of life for his neighbors. He has an innate ability to make the right contacts to make things happen, and his influence will long be an integral part of the spirit of Opp. Henry Leland Cummins passed away on January 18, 2005. He is buried in the Opp City Cemetery. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.
