Reba Evans Cunningham

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Reba Evans Cunningham began her dance with the angels on Dec. 12, 2009. She was born on July 20, 1921, in Blue Eye, Mo., daughter of the Rev. Willie Adron Evans and Floy Baughman Evans. The family lived in Shawnee, Okla., Berryville, Ark., and Picher, Okla.

She married James Edward Cunningham Jr., in 1943 and was widowed in 1961. She is a graduate of Ouachita University in Arkadelphia, Ark., and received her Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling from Kansas State University. She began her teaching career in Pueblo, Colo., and later joined the faculty at Cottey College in Nevada, as Director of Counseling where she worked for 24 years mentoring and hosting students from many countries around the world. She is also a Professor Emerita of Psychology at Cottey College. While her Christian faith strengthened and directed her, the pride and joy of her life was her son, James Edward Cunningham, III, of Little Rock, Ark.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Billy Joe Evans at age 7. She is survived by her son, her sister Rena Evans Gennings, three nieces and seven grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501) 224-8300. The funeral service will be at noon, Thursday, Dec. 17, at Fellowship Bible Church with private burial in Graceland Cemetery, Pine Bluff, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Reba Cunningham Scholarship at Cottey College, 1000 W. Austin, Nevada, MO 64772. Or donations may be made online at www.cottey.edu.