Grace Marie Cunningham

“Amazing Grace”

Grace Marie Cunningham Durst was born to Leola Raspberry (Bigmama) and Daniel Calvin Cunningham in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, July 27, 1941. She was married to Robert Lee Durst but later the two divorced. She moved to Childress, Texas in the early 1990s and lived there 25 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Childress. She passed away in Methodist Mansfield Medical Center hospital in Mansfield, Texas on Monday, November 16, 2015.

Here, the family would like to thank her church family with a special prayer of thanks to Mrs. Ann Fromme. A special thank you and warm hugs to neighbors, friends, and Family in Christ with a special warm hug to Mr. Travis Wages. Also, a special thank you to Nurses Unlimited, Meals on Wheels, and all other medical and special support in Mom’s behalf. A very special message of gratitude to Mrs. Cassy in Lubbock, Texas. Thank you to Childress Regional Medical Center and Childress Healthcare Center.

In 1986, Mom endured three (3) back-to-back surgeries due to a bowel obstruction which rendered her disabled—no longer able to work in a regular job. She retired from Tracor, Inc. in Austin, Texas; she was an Executive Assistant. With only a foot of gut remaining in her system to live with, the doctors gave Mom only 6 months to live. They told her that without enough intestines to process and hold her food long enough to nourish her body, she would die of starvation. But, Mom was a fighter. With her strength of mind and deep faith, she knew that a higher power was already at work.

Nearly 30 years later, in 2015, her death was due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) diagnosed after 50 plus years of smoking and, complications due to internal bleeding; she was 55 pounds when she died. At 5’3” tall and when feeling pretty good, she was full of life and good humor. She always enjoyed telling a good story; and always-always, something for a willing soul to do for her around the house, while she spinned her yarn of tales. She had a kindness about herself that made anyone feel very special. One could not help but want to “set a spell” and enjoy her company. A beautiful smile and a twinkle in her eye, she kept mindful of those in need and of those who only needed just a mustard seed. Mom passed away with that twinkle in her eye—stayed on the prize. On to glory she ascended, in peace, comfort and I might add—Holy style.

Thank you to everyone—new family, old friends, Friends in Christ, thank you prayers. To the doctors, specialists and their teams and staffs, to the nurses, medical assistants, paramedics, in-flight crews—Thank You So Very Much. To kindred spirits, thank you for the hope, the faith and expressions of agape love and support daily with and for my mother. There are not words enough to express my deepest and most profound gratitude and heartfelt sincerity.

Survived by: Daughter, Robin Louise Durst-Hicks– Grand Prairie, TX. Granddaughters, Sydney Alana & Amber Symone – Grand Prairie, TX. Son, Joseph Calvin Durst, USAF Ret. – Seattle, WA. Sisters: Erma Phillips-Detroit, MI; Lillian Dodson-Grand Prairie, TX; Gloria Earls-Round Rock, TX; Ruth Batie-San Antonio, TX; Pastor Joyce Lyles-Lebanon, TN; their families, nieces & nephews, and their families, grandnieces and grandnephews.