Page 6 - NYCD Honoree Luncheon Journal_2019 (3)

the Director of Children and is a retired Treasurer of the New York City District W.H.&O.M.S. She is a
Life Member, as well as member of the New York Conference Home Missions Board. Mother Elizabeth
Wansley is also a Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women. At present, she has been and
continues to serve as Preacher’s Steward for the past 32 years.

Verdelle cunningham

Verdelle Cunningham is a native of a rural town in South Carolina, Verdelle
Cunningham, is a lifelong Methodist who grew up within the United Methodist
Church. She migrated to Brooklyn, NY where she joined the First African
Methodist Church. She is the President of the Women’s Home and Overseas
Missionary Society and past Director of Mission Education; YAMS Coordinator
and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. She is YAMS Coordinator on the
New York City District. Verdelle spearheaded innovative projects and programs
including: designing a 6 department offering envelope for anniversary days (increasing awareness of the
Society’s mandate to serve as a financial support system); sponsoring an annual Agape Reception to raise
heart health awareness and recognize stellar missionaries; developing a “circle of mission-minded friends”
to fill-in-the-gap and effect emergency bridge financing for those in need; and designing local Walk-A-
Mile logo t-shirts for First Church’s annual Walk In The Park. On July 18, 2019, Verdelle was elected as
the Seventeenth General Treasurer of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society in the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church at the 29th Quadrennial Convention. Verdelle attends Connectional
meetings and served as a delegate for the 2008 General Conference. She has been a workshop presenter
on all levels of the A.M.E. Zion Church, and a guest speaker on numerous occasions across denominations.
Some highlights include:
• Workshop Presenter at the inaugural YAMS Empowerment Forum in Black Mountain, NC in 2001;
• Conducted Financial Workshop at the LTI - 125th Anniversary Celebration, Montgomery, AL in 2005
• Financial Workshop- Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District, Wilmington, NC in 2014 and South
Atlantic Episcopal District in 2016
Verdelle has served on the community board in her neighborhood and is an advocate for people and
animals. Her favorite quote is “My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my
successes and my talents and I lay them both at his feet.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Melvin calloway cummings

Melvin Calloway Cummings was born in Holly Hill, South Carolina and was
delivered by his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Hattie Cummings, a certified midwife.
His parents Willie and Catherine Guess Cummings migrated to New York City
with his older sister Willie Mae Cummings Williams during his formative years,
Catherine strongly encouraged and supported her children’s educational
experiences and their spiritual growth and development. Melvin possessed strong
math and entrepreneurial abilities. He was a certified bookkeeper, a freelance
photographer and had his own shoeshine stand. He attended school in New York
and earned degrees from:
Queens College, The City University of N.Y.., B.A. Degree
Pratt Institute; Bachelor of Architecture (Professional Degree)
Columbia University; M.A. Degree
University of Liberia; Monrovia, Liberia West Africa
University of Accra, Legon, Ghana West Africa.

He met and married the late Shelia L. Dudley Cummings, a biology major and graduate of Queens College.
Their marriage produced two beautiful daughters, Shataye Cummings, a registered nurse, and Oneika
Cummings Beasley, a wife, mother and Special Education Student Advocate in Houston, Texas school