Entering Ron Cumbie’s house, one is greeted with a gentle smile while spotting a button-up shirt adorned with vintage cars, along with his woodworking creations around the corner.
After a glance inside, however, visitors quickly notice the hundreds of painted rocks lying everywhere. Traveling through each room, it is evident the hours Cumbie, who lives in Ooltewah, has spent working on his creations.
Painting rocks became a comfort for Cumbie after the loss of his wife, Margie, in October 2017. His first rock, a tribute to her memory, now rests in his backyard garden. This was where the inspiration first sparked. Now, at 82, he keeps painting every day.
“I just started, and I couldn’t stop. I’m never happier than when I’m sitting here painting,” he said in an interview.