[1] Cummings was born in Cannon County, Tennessee, USA, east-southeast of Nashville.

He was then elected Tennessee Secretary of State by his fellow legislators, serving from 1949 to 1953.

He then returned to the legislature and served ten more consecutive terms prior to his retirement in 1972.

Cummings was very popular among his constituents and seldom faced any organized efforts to defeat him for reelection, and was honored by his peers during the last day of the 1972 session prior to his retirement.

Later, the portion of State Route 53 between the Cannon County seat of Woodbury and Interstate 24 was named the Jim Cummings Highway in his honor.