Cynthia Ramona Ingalls, Ocean Isle Beach

Cynthia Ramona Ingalls, 69, of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., passed away April 13th, 2023, surrounded by loving family after a 15 year battle with Parkinsons’ Disease. She was born in Portsmouth, Va., to Bill and Anna Lee Summit on September 2nd, 1953. She was raised in Winston Salem, N.C., and Lowell, Ind., with her two brothers and three sisters. She graduated from Lowell High School in 1972. Over 67 years, she remained friends with her eventual husband of 30 years, Preston Ingalls. While at Lowell High School, she was an accomplished gymnast and drum majorette, participating in numerous events. Cynthia’s greatest passion was sewing, and she was a seamstress making wedding gowns for numerous years. As long as she had a pattern, she could make anything. She loved making clothes, quilts, Raggedy Ann Dolls, and other little crafts for her grandchildren. Cynthia loved to cook and was famously known for her Cincinnati chili, Pasta Fagioli and Apple Crisp. She enjoyed watching older movies like Gidget and Anne of Green Gables with her grandchildren. Cynthia was an avid reader; some of her favorite authors were Nicolas Sparks, Jennifer Chiviarini, Debbie Mccomas, and Amish authors. Her greatest joy was shopping for bargains and playing with her dog, a Catahoula Leopard, Mingus. She loved playing music in the car with her grandchildren and singing along to Dean Martin, Jim Croce, Frank Sinatra, and Jim Brickman. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her eldest granddaughter called her the “Betty White” of grandmothers who said she was the most loving, caring, selfless, hard-working, funny, and ‘sweetest Grammy’ any child or grandchild could ask for. 69 years on this earth was not enough, but the decades of memories with her are what we will forever cherish the most. Cynthia is survived by her loving husband, Preston; children Holly Autry of Granite Falls, N.C., and Kelly (Michael) Tigert of Raleigh, N.C. She was preceded in death by her son, Tyson William Steel. Her grandchildren included: Emalee (James) Hayes of South Point, Ohio, Rebecca (DJ) Larkin of Raleigh, Zoee LeBlanc of Granite Falls, Kelsea Tigert of Raleigh, Sydnee Autry of Granite Falls, and Shelby Tigert of Raleigh. Great-grandchildren included: Daniel Larkin of Raleigh, Dillon Hayes of South Point, Ohio and a future great-grandchild due October 29th, 2023; two brothers: Wilby Frank Summit, and Kenneth Douglas Summit, along with her three sisters: Charlotte Lee Summit, Mia (Rick) Cooper of Ocean Isle Beach, and Penny OnaMarie Farthing. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Bill and Anna Lee Summit. The following passage is from Cynthia’s eldest granddaughter’s memory book made for her on her 16th birthday that can be directed to all of her family: “The most important lesson I learned about family is always to take care of one another. Love your brothers and sisters. Stand up for each other! You only have your children for a little while before you know it, they are adults with a family of their own. Enjoy every minute! Some days I wish they were still young. I’d love to hold them in my arms and make all their troubles disappear! I love them so much! Looking at my life now, I realize everything happens for a reason. I think things don’t just happen. We make our life by the choices we make. Some are good, and some of us make bad ones. What we do with our lives determines if it will be a happy or sad. I’m happiest when I’m with my family. All my grandkids are the best in my eyes and my heart. I love you all! Papa, too! I love to travel with him. He has shown me so much of this world. I thank God every day for him. He is my soulmate. When I look to the future, I first of all want happy days for all. I want everyone to know I love them all. Good health for all too.” Cynthia’s passage to her granddaughter Emalee from the memory book: “My wishes for you, Emi are most of all to be happy. You are so beautiful when you smile. Remember it’s all up to you. No one can make you happy it’s all up to you. Remember, what you do now will follow you all through your life. I have a lot of faith in you. If you want something really bad, you go for it! After your schooling, I’d like to see you find someone to love for the rest of your life, like Papa and I. I think we have the truest love there is. And then, after that,maybe start a family. I’d love to have some great-grandchildren someday. Maybe a little girl just like you or even a great-grandson would be nice, too! Whatever life gives you, Emi, remember that I love you so very much. I wish you all things good in life. Love Always, Your Grammy.” Cynthia was cremated with a memorial service planned for mid-May.