LaRue DeField Cunningham

LaRue DeField Cunningham, 92, of Jonesboro died Wednesday September 19, 2012 at St. Bernards Medical Center. She was born on April 18, 1920 in East Prairie, Missouri to the late Mayme and Clyde DeField. She is survived by her daughter, Sherri Karber and Norman Wilkinson of Fort Smith; one son, Mark and his wife Ann Cunningham of Little Rock; one grandson, Gregory Karber of Los Angeles, CA; one granddaughter, Courtney Cunningham of North Little Rock; and a sister in law, Elizabeth Leonard of St. Louis, Missouri. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Ed Cunningham. She graduated from East Prairie High School in 1937 where she lettered four years in basketball. She graduated from Arkansas State College in 1941 with a double major in Business Administration and French, and while attending college she was a member of Alpha Tau Zeta Sorority. She taught school for two years and from 1943-1947 worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Air Force First Troop Carrier Command in Indianapolis, Ind. She married Ed Cunningham in 1951 in Washington, D.C. where he was an agent for the FBI. With the Bureau they lived in San Francisco, Little Rock, Blytheville, and finally in Jonesboro. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Mrs. Harry Hill Sunday School Class. She was a past member of the Administrative Board for First United Methodist Church, Altar Guild, and Martha Circle. She was a member of the Jonesboro Garden Club and spent many happy hours as a volunteer for the St. Bernards Hospital Auxiliary. LaRue's family appreciates more than words can express the loving care that was given to her by her caregivers Janie Atwood May and Millie Free. We would especially like to thank Betty Grant, who has become a member of the family and whose aid, compassion, and tireless love has sustained us all. A memorial service will be Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church Chapel with Rev. Patty Sword and Rev. John Miles officiating under direction of Emerson Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be the Mrs. Harry Hill Sunday School Class and St Bernards Hospital Auxiliary. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home. For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice. www.emersonfuneralhome.com.