Mona Cunningham's Obituary
When Mona Fae’s earthly life ended peacefully at Clarehouse the morning of March 28, 2019, there was a painting and a sculpture of a Black Bear nearby subtly bringing her life full circle. She was born at home in Black Bear, Pawnee County, Oklahoma, September 17, 1920 to Vera Darwina and Edgar Earl Landers. She had an older sister, Norma Rae and later a younger brother, (Edgar Earl) Junior. and sister, Wanda.Growing up she and Norma Rae spent summers in Maramec with grandparents and aunts. By her teen years the family had settled in Oklahoma City. She attended youth activities at the nearby Brethren Church and worked as a carhop. Graduating from Central High School in 1938 she then entered business school. She worked as a hospital volunteer and then began her secretarial career. Meanwhile she doted on the children of her sisters: Edgar Riley, Janelle and Jerry. She met her husband Marvin Waddell Cunningham on a train trip to West Virginia. Marvin boarded the train in Tulsa and ask to take the seat next to her. They were married at the Brethren Church in Oklahoma City on April 10, 1949. They flew to St. Louis for their honeymoon then established their home in Tulsa. They had three children: Michaela Kay “Mickey”, Myron Allen, and Marcy Rene. They enjoyed frequent trips to OKC for family gatherings with her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. Nieces Kendra and Kristi were each welcomed to the extended family. Family vacations included return visits in West Virginia and later, as extended family moved, plane trips to California and Arizona. In retirement she and Marvin traveled to Hawaii and Canada several times. Mona continued traveling in her later years to family weddings in the states of Arizona, California and Washington. She also went with a friend on a Caribbean Cruise. Over the years as her children grew up Mona helped with Camp Fire Girls, Cub Scouts, Little League Baseball and various school activities. In 1969 she took a job as Reservations manager at the Mayo Hotel. During her 10- year career she saw many famous guests including Presidents and rock stars. As her children married, new family members were added to the family. They were son-in-laws Kenny Leroy Martin, and Craig Walsh and daughter-in-law Marvetta Beaver. Bringing more joy were grandchildren, Andrew Derek Martin, Angela Deann Martin, Jason Allen Latimer, Linda Kay Walsh and Joanne Rose Walsh. After her husband Marvin passed away in 1985, three more grandchildren brought comfort and joy: Joshua Callen Cunningham, Justin Waddell Cunningham and Nicolette Rochelle “Nikki” Cunningham. Later joy in abundance came with her great-grandchildren: Alexa Martin, Colby Martin, Jorryn West, Hailey Latimer, Bree Latimer, Harper Latimer, Hadley Latimer, Elizabeth Harris, Monte Joe Harris, Madelyn Barnes, Abagayle Barnes, Hunter, Shiloh, Monte, Jeffrey, Ashlynn & Callen Cunningham, Cooper, Abigail, Archer & Gunner Cunningham and Benjamin Cope. Mona loved to host parties in her home for her children and their families. Birthdays were celebrated as well as Easter egg hunts, back-to-school, Halloween and Christmas parties. She loved parties and shopping, collecting clocks, hour glasses and bells. She also loved music especially violin, Lawrence Welk, Pavarotti and Perry Como.At her core was her faith. She was active in adult and children’s activities, first at Hagler Methodist then Will Rogers Methodist Churches. She was a church counter, funeral dinner worker, and devotionist for her women’s circle. She attended Bible Study Fellowship for several years. She was a Meals on Wheels volunteer for many years until early 2019 when she was no longer able. She also volunteered for the prayer chain and card ministry at church. Her favorite scripture verses were Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your Heart…” She joins in heaven her parents, siblings, husband, grandson Andrew, great grandson Hunter, nephew Edgar, grandson-in-law William and countless others.Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at Floral Haven Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Will Rogers United Methodist Church, 1138 S Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK 74112.
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