Benjamin F. Cumbo, IVJuly 20, 1987 - April 22, 2015
Friday, May 1, 2015Viewing and Visitation – 9:30 a.m.
Service – 11:00 a.m.
First Baptist Church of Glenarden3600 Brightseat Road Landover, MD 20785
Reverend William Berkeley, Officiating
The Celebration of the Life of
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Remembering Ben . . . Benjamin Franklin Cumbo, IV was born July 20, 1987 at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Maryland to superb parents, Benjamin and Deborah Person Cumbo. In the early morning of Wednesday, April 22, 2015, God lovingly whispered, “Ben, job well done. It’s time to join the angels in heaven. Not only did you live life with a purpose, you also became an outstanding champion for those with disabilities. My gifted young man, it is time to rest.”
From an early age, curious and courageous, Ben exhibited the three “D’s of Success” — desire, determination and drive. Always surrounded by limitless encouragement, Ben was a member of the Largo Kettering Mitchellville Boys & Girls Club and enjoyed T-Ball and swimming. Creative and artistic, Ben also played the saxophone and designed a monkey bar for children with disabilities. Ben attended Arrowhead Elementary, James Madison Middle School and Bishop McNamara High School where teachers recognized his outstanding writing talents. As a result, Ben started his first novel, King Me, at the age of 14 and was published at the age of 17. Also during this time, Ben earned his Eagle Scout Award. In his senior year, Ben was interviewed as one of the feature stories in Richard Cohen’s book, Strong at the Broken Places. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in Anthropology and Sociology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM). While at St. Mary’s, he served as the Omicron Delta Kappa Vice President and President of SMCM Black Student Union. In April 2015, Ben achieved a major goal when he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master’s Degree from The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University. As one of his significant accomplishments while at The George Washington University, he co-wrote a Capstone study on water issues in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip.
Ben dedicated his life to Christ in February 2010 when he joined First Baptist Church of Glenarden. In his 27 short years, Ben was a vital member of the national muscular dystrophy community since the time he was first diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the age of 3. In that time, he served as
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National Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), an ardent advocate for research funding, and a trainer for medical professionals working with families with chronic diseases and disabilities. Ben assisted both MDA and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) in their missions of raising funds for and awareness of neuromuscular disease through public speaking engagements, national and local MDA Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon appearances, national and local media interviews and an array of public service activities. Ben also served as a panelist at Harvard Medical School and on a special health series on the Today Show.
Ben’s professional accomplishments are impressive: Ben joined Jerry Lewis when they jointly testified before a Senate Subcommittee in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance Research and Education (MD-CARE) Act. He participated in the Evaluator Training for the Cooperative Internal Neuromuscular Research Group (CINRG) located at Children’s National Medical Center and served as a panelist for the Heartsongs Project: The International Pediatric Palliative Care in Neuromuscular Disease Consortium’s regional workshop. While in college, Ben served as an intern in Senator Obama’s Washington, DC office and as an intern at the White House during President Obama’s first Administration. As recently as February 2015, Ben testified at a Congressional briefing hosted by PPMD entitled, “Putting the Patient in Patient-focused Drug Development: A Briefing for the 114th Congress”; Ben worked for the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau as a Science and Tech Program Assistant at the Department of State and was currently employed as the Joseph S. Nye, Jr. National Security Intern at the Center for a New American Security working with the Energy, Economic and Security Program. At the time of his death, Ben served on the National PPMD Adult Advisory Council, interfacing with global pharmaceutical leaders and federal agency policymakers on behalf of the Duchenne community.
To cherish his memory, he leaves his phenomenally devoted parents, Ben and Debi; and his doting and thoughtful sisters, Erin and Tyler, who were an integral part of his life. Erin was his life coach and advisor, while Tyler was his champion and confidant. He also leaves his loving Uncle Pierre and many other devoted relatives and friends.
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August 12, 2009
Mr. Benjamin Cumbo1108 Woodlawn BoulevardUpper Marlboro, Maryland 20774
Dear Ben:
Thank you for spending your summer with us at the White House. I am grateful for your many contributions during your time in the Office of Presidential Correspondence, and especially for your help in maintaining an ongoing dialogue with my Administration and the American people.
Working at the White House is truly a unique and rich experience. I trust it will serve as an inspiring introduction to the untold benefits of public service. As you move on, I hope you cherish the friendships you have made, treasure the everyday American stories you have come to know, and use your unique experiences here in Washington to improve your community and our Nation.
Thank you again for your hard work. Young people like you inspire me and give me great hope for the future. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
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Order of ServiceProcessional
Musical Prelude
Scriptures Old Testament Isaiah 40:28-31
New Testament Romans: 1-5
Prayer Reverend Cozy E. Baily, Sr. First Mount Zion Baptist Church Dumfries, Virginia
Selection Joseph Blake
Acknowledgments Greg Harrod
Obituary (Read Silently)
Reflections • Annie Kennedy
• Richard Cohen
• Richard Fontaine
• Pierre Cumbo & Tawana Hinton Warfield
• Tyler Cumbo & Uncle Reggie
• Benjamin F. Cumbo III
Selection Joseph Blake
Message Reverend Billy Statton Providence Saint John Baptist Church Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Benediction / Committal Reverend Billy Statton
Recessional Fred Hammond — “They that Wait on the Lord”
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The family of Benjamin F. Cumbo IV expresses our deep and heartfelt appreciation for the loving thoughtfulness and concern conveyed through your words of comfort, cards, visits, food, gifts and, especially, your prayers. May God show his greatness in your lives.
A heartfelt and loving thank you to Annie Kennedy for all she has done for Ben and our familly over the years.
To Pastor John K. Jenkins and the First Baptist Church Of Glenarden family, your loyal support and prayers are highly valued and cherished.
To the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy families, as well as the many families who live with and share everyday in the battle to fight muscle disease, we say thank you for your unending support and love.
To Bishop McNamara, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, thank you for developing a wonderful mind.
To the Troop 1294 family, Boy Scouts of America, thank you for developing a young man.
To Sandra Adams Byrd, thank you for helping us compose a beautiful obituary.
Special thanks and love to Aunt Tee (Tawana Hinton-Warfield), Uncle Reggie (Reginald Warfield), and Mrs. Delora Tapscott.
To his special care assistant Renee Wilson, we could not have done it without you.
To Uncle Pierre (Pierre Cumbo) for showing him the world.
And our heartfelt thanks to McGuire Funeral Services for their immeasurable kindness, prompt professionalism and exceptional services to our family. You are highly respected and treasured.
As Ben would often say … ”Don’t worry … I got this”
PallbearersAkili Akridge
Henry Arango
Cozy Bailey Jr
Kevin Crowdy
Omar Knight
Glenn Tapscott
Donald Tolson, II
Justin Wright
Acknowledgments
