Laura Belle Baugh Cumbie, 95, of Grove Hill, Alabama, passed peacefully from this life on September 16, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of love, family, faith, education, service, and strength.

Laura was born on April 3, 1931, in Grove Hill, Alabama, the fourth child of Robert Samuel Baugh and Annie Laura Danzey Baugh. Intelligent and determined from an early age, she graduated with honors from Massey-Draughon Business College in 1949, an accomplishment that made her father especially proud; a man who was rarely impressed. Laura also paved the way for her baby brother, Robert, who followed closely in her footsteps. The bond between Laura and Robert was extraordinary. Their love for one another was deep, unwavering, and difficult to put into words. No brother and sister could have loved each other more.

Not long after, Laura met her sweetheart, Marcus Edward "Mark" Cumbie, at Chapman's Drug Store in Grove Hill. The two were married on February 17, 1950, beginning a love story that would span more than six decades. They welcomed their first daughter, Marcia Annell, in February 1951, followed by their second daughter, Susan, in March 1953. Laura and Mark shared an incredible 66 years of marriage before his passing in April 2016. During those 66 years, Mark not only supported Laura's endeavors but encouraged them which was a rarity in those days.

Laura built an impressive professional career, particularly during a time when few women were given opportunities to serve in leadership positions. She worked at Searcy Hospital as Director of the Medical Records Department, where she was instrumental in creating and establishing the department. She later served as Executive Secretary to the President of Union Carbide in Chickasaw, Alabama.

Leaving Mt. Vernon, Mark and Laura moved back home to Grove Hill where she continued her career at Grove Hill Memorial Hospital, where she served as Head of Medical Records, Executive Secretary to the Board, and Head of Quality Assurance. She retired after 28 years of dedicated service to the hospital and her community. Throughout her career, Laura was known for her intelligence, leadership, strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence.

Laura was a longtime member of Grove Hill United Methodist Church and an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years. Her faith, her community, and service to others remained important parts of her life.

Laura was also an avid reader and had a lifelong love of books. It was rare to see her without a book in her hands, and the Grove Hill Public Library held a special place in her heart. She was a faithful patron for many years, relying on the library for much of the reading material that brought her countless hours of enjoyment. Her love of reading was another reflection of a woman who never lost her desire to learn.

While Laura had much to be proud of professionally, nothing brought her greater pride than her family. She loved celebrating the accomplishments of the generations who followed her and was especially proud to tell others that all five of her grandchildren earned master's degrees and that her great-grandchildren have either earned college degrees or are currently pursuing them.

Not only did Laura encourage education and achievement, she modeled them. As a young woman who graduated with honors and went on to hold positions of responsibility and leadership at a time when women were not always encouraged to step into those roles, Laura set an example for generations that came behind her. She showed her daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren what could be accomplished through intelligence, determination, hard work, and the courage to lead.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Samuel and Annie Laura Danzey Baugh; her brother, Benjamin Clayton Baugh, who lost his life in World War II at only 22 years old; her sisters, Elsie Rae Monk and Annie Lois Andrews; her beloved husband of 66 years, Marcus Edward "Mark" Cumbie; and her son-in-law, Larry Stephens.

She is survived by her beloved brother, Robert Eloid Baugh, her daughters, Annell (Steve) Gordon and Susan Stephens; five grandchildren, Marcus (Dana) Gordon, Rachel (Rob) Garrison, Ellen (Brett) Pettis, Melissa (John) Taylor, and Staci (Mitch) Hughes; nine great-grandchildren, Stephens (Jesseca) Taylor, Catherine Taylor, Braxton Goff, Stephen Pettis, J.C. Pettis, Molly Pettis, Charlie Garrison, Annie Garrison, and Sam Gordon; and three great-great-grandchildren, Berkley Booth, Rhett Taylor, and Ryder Taylor. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Laura's family would also like to recognize the wonderful and caring staff of the assisted living facility known as the Beehive of Petal, where Laura made her home for the last five years. During that time, her caregivers became much more than those entrusted with her care. They became family. Their kindness, compassion, friendship, and devotion to Laura will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who loved her.

Laura was blessed with 95 years on this earth, and she made the most of them. Ninety-five years of family, love, hard work, laughter, accomplishments, books, memories, and stories. Those who loved her knew this day would eventually come, but no number of years could ever prepare a family to say goodbye to someone who had been such a constant presence in their lives.

Her family finds comfort in imagining the reunion that awaited her in Heaven. After ten years apart, her family believes her beloved Mark was there to welcome his sweetheart home. They also believe her parents and sisters were there, along with her brother, Clayton and her son-in-law, Larry. After a lifetime that inevitably brought the heartache of saying goodbye to people she loved, her family finds peace in believing that this time, Laura was the one being welcomed home.

Laura Belle Baugh Cumbie leaves behind far more than an impressive résumé or a long list of accomplishments. She leaves behind a legacy; one reflected in the strength of her daughters, the accomplishments of her grandchildren, the promise of her great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and the many lives influenced by a woman who was never afraid to work hard, lead, learn, and expect the best from herself and those she loved.

She was deeply loved here, she will be deeply missed, and she will forever remain a part of the people she helped shape.

Ninety-five years was a remarkable life. To those who loved her, that life was not nearly long enough.

Funeral Arrangements

Visitation will be held at Grove Hill United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Magnolia Lawn Cemetery in Grove Hill, Alabama.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Steve Gordon, Brett Pettis, Rob Garrison, Marcus Gordon, Mitch Hughes, and Stephens Taylor.

Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen Pettis, J.C. Pettis, Charlie Garrison, Braxton Goff, Sam Gordon, John Taylor, Robert Baugh, and Mike Walker.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Grove Hill Public Library, 108 DuBose Avenue, Grove Hill, AL 36451, or to United Methodist Women, c/o Grove Hill United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 864, Grove Hill, AL 36451. Donations to United Methodist Women may also be made via Venmo to maryenglish@mary-english-52.