Mary Frances Cunningham

Mary was a 1943 graduate of Sanger High School, where she excelled on the volleyball team. She enjoyed dancing and participated in Jitterbug contests. Immediately after graduation, at age 16, Mary moved to Ft. Worth, Texas where she worked for the Rations Board during World War II. With all of her brothers off to war, she returned back home to help with the family farm. Mary had a sense of pride throughout her life for her brothers’ devoted service to our country, often sharing that 2 brothers were at Pearl Harbor. Mary eventually settled in Denton, TX, working as a proof reader at Moore’s Business Forms for nearly 10 years. It was in Denton, on the town square, where she met her future husband, Kirk Cunningham.

In 1954, Mary married Kirk Cunningham and together they raised three beautiful children. They moved into their home in Richardson, Texas in 1957, where she lived until the end of her life. Mary was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed taking care of the family home. She enjoyed babysitting and taking care of her grandchildren. She enjoyed helping others and volunteered at the Clothes Closet at First Presbyterian Church in Richardson for many years. Mary had a love for fishing well into recent years and could out fish anyone, anytime. She also enjoyed gardening and was known for having an immaculate yard and beautiful flowers. One thing that everyone remarked on was her beautiful handwriting. Although an independent and strong willed woman, Mary was extremely likeable and had a generous heart. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Kirk in 2006, brothers, Sidney, Bruce and Don Hampton and grandchildren Bryan Vandigriff and Devin Cunningham. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Rebecca (Michael) Clark of Spicewood, TX., Dr. Sidney (Rose) Cunningham of Buda, Texas and Alice (Jim) Stuart of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Scott Vandigriff of Austin, Texas, Landon (Jadyn) Cunningham of Cedar Park, Texas, Sydney (Nick) Sweeney of Austin, Texas and Matt (Kathy) Stuart of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; and two great-grandsons, Trent and Tyler Stuart.

The family would like to acknowledge all the caregivers who over the last 4 years made it possible for their Mother to achieve her wish to stay in her own home until the end of her life. This includes Faye, Lena, Christy, Tasha, Phyllis, Deidra, Brandi, Faith, Lynette, Deanna, Elisabeth and most recently Angela, Valerie, Shella, and Marie. They would like to give a special thank you to Marie who was with her for over 4 years. She has become family. They would like to also acknowledge their hospice nurse, Sabina and hospice Nurse Practitioner, Meredith.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday December 27th from 6pm-8pm at Sparkman Funeral Home, Richardson, Texas, with a prayer/song beginning at 7pm. Inurnment will be in Roselawn Cemetery in Denton, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Those wishing to send condolences or sign the online guestbook may visit www.sparkmanrichardson.com.