Mrs. Betty Lou Cunningham

Betty Lou Cunningham, age 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep, around 6:30 am on Thursday, December 14, 2023. She was born to Frederick Homer Beacham and Frederick Pauline Chewning on January 19, 1931 and was one of 5 siblings, Ricky Beacham, Jr. (deceased), Francis Beacham, Stan Beacham, and Debbie Sanchez. Betty spent the majority of her younger years growing up in Dallas, TX, and at the tender age of 13, Betty won an art scholarship to a college in Chicago, however was later disqualified due to her age. She went on to spend the next 30 years as a fashion artist, working for companies such as Sanger Harris, Foleys, and Joske’s. Betty also spent several years working at the prestigious Dallas Morning News. She was married to James Earl Cunningham (deceased) on November 21, 1975, celebrating 30 years of marriage, and together they had a total of 7 children from previous marriages. Mark Jones, Johnny Cunningham, Ted Jones, Carl Cunningham (deceased), Lenora Cunningham, Dewel Higginbotham, and Steven Jones (deceased). One of Mark and Ted’s warmest memories of their mom was her helping them with various paper routes when it was cold or raining outside, usually on Sunday mornings when they had to get up at 3:30 am to fold and deliver the Houston Chronicle. Betty is preceded in death by her late husband, Earl, and brother, Ricky Beacham, Jr., as well as sons, Carl and Steven. She is survived by her children, Mark Jones and daughter-in-law, Renee Jones, Ted Jones and daughter-in-law, Jacqueline Jones, Johnny Cunningham and daughter-in-law, Cathy Cunningham, Dewel Higginotham and daughter-in-law, Lajuan Higginbotham, and daughter, Lenora Cunningham; as well as six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A graveside service for Betty Cunningham will be 1:00 pm, Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the pavilion of the Deadwood Cemetery with Mr. Mark Jones officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. A reception for family and friends will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting https://act.alz.org>donate. Please make all memorials a tribute gift in honor of Betty Cunningham, who fought this battle valiantly until the end.

Tributes

Mrs. Betty Lou Cunningham

January 19, 1931 - December 14, 2023