Barbara "Babs" Cummins-Coppes

Barbara “Babs” Cummins-Coppes of Warsaw passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. She was born on April 17, 1932, in Indianapolis, to Max Allen and Beryle (Clark) Blackburn and shared her early years with her brother, William, who was six years older.

Babs was married to James A. Cummins for nearly 40 years, and together they raised six children: Cathy Wheeler (Steve) of Crossville, Tennessee; Cheri Bryan (Jeff) of South Whitley, Indiana; Craig Cummins (Ann) of Westminster, South Carolina; Chris Cummins (Beth) of Warsaw, Indiana; Clark Cummins (Amy) of Warsaw; and Cindy Cummins of Warsaw. She is also survived by James A. Cummins of Warsaw. She later married Frank Coppes, with whom she shared 11 years of marriage before his passing in 2004.

Babs, lovingly known as ‘Nana,’ was blessed with 23 grandchildren: Joshua, Jaala, Dalton, Ashley, Zachary, Bruce, Courtney, Benjamin, Natalie, Heather, Andrew, McClain, Max, McCartney, Cayla, Cole, Christian, Cameron, Chloe, Jeremy, Emma, Krista, and Erin.

Babs grew up in Indianapolis, where she attended School #43 before proudly graduating from Shortridge High School in 1950. During her time at Shortridge, she was very active, participating in the Euvola Club, choir, prom committee, Junior Vaudeville, and Panhellenic social groups. She was also a Bluebelle candidate her senior year and enjoyed taking ballet, tap, and jazz classes, with tap being her favorite!

She went on to attend Indiana University, where she and several of her closest friends pledged Kappa Alpha Theta, forming deep friendships that remained strong throughout her life. Babs was a devoted member of Kappa Alpha Theta for 75 years! She graduated from IU in three and a half years with a degree in Elementary Education and married James “Jim” Cummins on December 19, 1953. During their time at Indiana University, Babs shared her beautiful soprano voice while Jim accompanied her on piano at sororities, fraternities, and campus parties, often performing favorite songs from the 1930s and 1940s

Babs began her teaching career as a third-grade teacher in Martinsville, Indiana, before moving to Itazuke Air Force Base in Nagoya, Japan, where Jim was stationed in the United States Air Force. While in Japan, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, Cathy. Upon returning to the United States, they settled in Indianapolis, where their family grew to four children, and Babs dedicated herself as a stay-at-home mother. In 1965, the family moved to Warsaw, Indiana, where they welcomed two more children, and Babs remained devoted to raising their six children. Babs and Jim remained proudly connected to their IU roots, enjoying football games, attending Theta and Fiji reunions, and continuing to support the university they both loved.

Babs’ strong faith, along with her vibrant personality and love for others, was reflected in her deep involvement in the Warsaw community. She was an active member of the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church for 61 years, singing in the choir until the age of 91; a member of active chapter of Tri Kappa, along with the Associates Chapter for over 50 years, where she participated in many Tri-Kappa Follie’s Variety Shows and supported fundraisers focusing on Charity, Culture, and Education; Mother’s Study Club; numerous Bible studies, including a cherished group of lifelong friends known as the “Steel Magnolias.”AAUW, and participating as a board member of the Classic Arts Program of Kosciusko County, along with singing in their many concerts. She also enjoyed ballroom dancing and was a member of the barbershop quartet “The Humdingers”.

Babs volunteered as a “Pink Lady” at Kosciusko Community Hospital and had a special love for children, dedicating time at the Cardinal Center Children’s Home working with children with disabilities. She then returned to college attending Ball State University to earn her master’s degree in education and continued her passion for teaching as a substitute teacher for Warsaw Community Schools until the age of 84.

Babs loved opening her home to others and hosted many gatherings, from her years in Spring Hill Acres on Pike Lake to her homes on Winona and Center Lake.She was an exceptional cook, and her meals and desserts were always eagerly anticipated and quickly enjoyed—especially her chicken and rice, spaghetti, sour cream pork chops, shepherd’s pie, goulash, ham salad, deviled eggs, brownies, Mexican wedding cakes, and her famous chocolate mousse pie. She especially loved lake living, taking in the beauty of sunrises and sunsets, enjoying boat rides, and hosting cherished family gatherings. She also made frequent visits to her brother Bill and his wife, Gloria, at their summer home on Lake Wawasee, where all six children enjoyed time filled with laughter and fun alongside their cousins.

“Nana,” as she was lovingly called, was a constant and devoted presence in her grandchildren’s lives. She rarely missed their events, cheering them on at football, soccer, and basketball games, and proudly attending choir performances, theater productions, graduations, and many other special moments. She loved watching movies with her grandchildren, even being open to watching more modern movies. Babs approached life with enthusiasm and loved to continue being a life-spectator, from continuing to sing in choirs, learning new games to play with her children and grandchildren or creating memorable holiday celebrations in her home. She enjoyed watching the wild-life from her condo windows, delighted in ice cream of every flavor, enjoying it as a daily treat, cherished the companionship of her beloved dog, Buddy (AKA “King Buddy”), loved taking walks, liked to watch Hallmark movies, old musicals (especially Rogers & Hammerstein), Soap Operas, especially “The Young and Restless”, attend shows at the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, and sing in the community choir with friends.

One special memory Babs truly cherished was a three-generational journey through Europe with her daughter, Cheri, and granddaughter, Courtney. She also enjoyed many adventures with Jim, including living in Japan; traveling to Yellowstone National Park; visiting Hawaii, Seattle, and Santo Domingo; taking two Caribbean cruises; and making many memorable trips to Florida—with six children in tow—to visit her parents in Pompano Beach. She also traveled with Frank to Texas to visit her cousin, MJ, and explored Graceland in Tennessee and Branson, Missouri.

Another treasured experience was a trip to Washington, D.C., for Shortridge High School’s Class of 1950 reunion, graciously hosted by her classmate and friend, Senator Dick Lugar. The visit included a private, after-hours tour of the Senate floor, along with time spent exploring many of the city’s landmarks, restaurants, and monuments.

Babs was dearly loved by her family and friends. She never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone on any topic. She always had a smile on her face and was full of warmth, energy, and kindness to everyone she encountered. Even in her later years, family remained the most important part of Babs’ life. She was a proud mother of six children, grandmother of 23, and great-grandmother of 13, and she cherished every moment spent with them.

Arrangements are entrusted to Titus Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2000 Sheridan Street, Warsaw, IN 46580. A Life Celebration for Babs’ will be held Friday, April 3, 2026, at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 S High St, Warsaw, IN 46580, with visitation at 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the service starting at Noon. Memorial contributions may be made to Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 S. High St. Warsaw, IN 46580 or to the Animal Welfare League, 1048 S. 225 E. Pierceton, IN 46562.

Rest in peace, Mom. You will be deeply missed, but your memory and spirit will live on in all who loved you. We rejoice in knowing you are now in the arms of Jesus—dancing, singing, and joyfully reunited with family and friends.