Ruth Cunningham

Ruth Lee Cunningham passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2009, while surrounded by family at the Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City, Michigan. Ruth was 80 years old.

Ruth was born on September 12, 2009 in Newlin, Texas to Trilby Ambline Sanders (“Mimi”) and Virgil Lee Williams (“Dada”). Ruth was Mimi and Dada’s eldest child, and a beloved sister to Gayleen Williams (deceased), Barbara (married to Melvin) Daniel and Leo (married to Deanna) Williams. Ruth grew up on a farm in Cassville, Missouri and subsequently moved to Hazel Park, Michigan where she attended Hazel Park High School, graduating with high honors as the Salutatorian of her class in 1946, and was a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Ruth held many jobs during her life, including managerial positions at both Michigan Bell and William Beaumont Hospital, though she considered loving and caring for her family as her primary responsibility.

In 1948, Ruth married Noral McNeely in Detroit, Michigan. She was remarried to Archibald Cunningham (“Archie”) in 1956 in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Ruth is the mother of four children: Vicki Lynn Youngman, Debra Lee Waggener, Gregory Steven Cunningham, and Jennifer Ann McNichol.

Ruth is pre-deceased by her parents, Mimi and Dada; her sisters, Gayle and Margaret; and her brother, Daryl. She is survived by her sister, Barb, her brother, Leo, and their spouses; her nieces and nephews; her children and their spouses, Vicki and John Youngman, Debra and William Waggener, Gregory Cunningham, and Jennifer McNichol; her grandchildren, Michael Waggener, Bob Waggener, John Youngman, Bill Youngman, David Cunningham, Melissa Youngman, Christina Span, Heather Cunningham, Gregory Cunningham, Sarah Cunningham, Michael McNichol; and her great grandsons, Juan Cunningham, Adrian Cunningham, Tristan Cunningham, and her great granddaughter, Madison Waggener.

Ruth loved her family above all and never failed to show it. A memorial service is planned for the spring.

Please visit Ruth’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com to sign the guestbook and share a memory with her family. The family has chosen Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City to handle the cremation.