Della Jane Cummings, age 74, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away at Mercy Hospital after a long illness. Della was born to Robert Lewis Brown and Lula Mae (King) Brown on January 30, 1948, in the small Phelps County community of Newburg, Missouri. In 1970, Della was united in marriage to the love of her life, Paul Wiles, at the College Street Church of Christ in Springfield. They were blessed with two daughters, Paulette (Wiles) Hughes and Lula (Wiles) Heerman. Paul and Della  shared 43 wonderful years of marriage before his  passing in 2013. For more than twenty years, Della worked as a highly skilled cosmetologist in the Springfield area. She also worked for many years as a compassionate in-home healthcare provider.

Della was known for being a warm, vivacious, outgoing, and affable person. It is no wonder that red was her favorite color. She was also funny, witty, and very smart. Her contagious laughter and jovial personality brought immeasurable joy to any gathering, especially during the holidays, her favorite time of the year. Della found great satisfaction in her gardening, crafting, sewing, and cooking. Her love of baseball and, in particular, watching the St. Louis Cardinals, was among her most treasured pastimes. She was also a huge fan of Gone with the Wind, having read the book and watched the movie innumerable times throughout her life. While she loved spending time with her five cats, nothing was more important to Della than spending quality time with her family. Della will always be remembered for wearing her happy socks and having an unshakable faith in the Lord.

Della was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lula Brown; husband, Paul Wiles; son, Charles Hunt; brother, Ronald Brown; and sisters, Opal Hollis and Bonnie Handley. She is survived by two daughters, Paulette Hughes (husband Ryan) and Lula Heerman (husband Brad); sister, Judy Thompson; brothers, Richard Brown (wife Anna) and Bobby Brown; and granddaughters, Whitney Heerman, Cheyenne Hunt, and Avery Hughes, and several nieces and nephews she adored

A visitation for Della will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 3:00-5:00 pm, at Greenlawn North Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri (3506 North National).  Della  will be laid to rest in the peaceful setting of Greenlawn Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made in Della’s memory to her favorite non-profit organization, Watching Over Whiskers, located at 3014 East Sunshine Street, Suite E, Springfield, MO 65804 (417-324-4486 or www.watchingoverwhiskers.org).