Frances Cunningham Petry's Obituary
Frances Elizabeth Cunningham Petry was born in Snyder, Texas on June 14, 1935. She died in Memphis, Tennessee on November 3, 2014. She was the daughter of Arthur Melvin Cunningham, Sr. and Naomi Pearl Wharton Cunningham, both deceased. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dr. John R. Petry, and daughters Elizabeth Ann Petry Welch (grandsons, John Michael Welch and James Patrick Welch, great-granddaughter, Jaina Elaine Welch) and Rebecca Lyn Petry Pitner (husband, Shannon, grandson, John Thomas “JT” Pitner). Also surviving are her siblings: Billy Cunningham of Phoenix, Arizona (Nancy); Jaye George of Kerrville, Texas (John) and Melvin Cunningham of Hilliard, Ohio (Ann) and 22 nieces and nephews. Frances was a member of Colonial Baptist Church in Memphis where she was involved in the Hope Sunday School Class. She was a member of the Oak and Elm Garden Club, the Friendship Force of Memphis and the International Group of Memphis. She coordinated the homestays of several students in Memphis for the Youth Exchange Service of Tokyo, Japan. She was a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University Abilene, Texas, earning Summa Cum Laude recognition and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. She was active in the Baptist Student Union at West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas, in which she served as secretary of the BSU council and as a summer missionary to Juarez, Mexico. She participated in the Buffalo Girls Association and the West Texas State University Marching Band, playing the clarinet. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega honor society. She was initiated into Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Fran was first runner-up of the West Texas State University beauty pageant. She taught Social Studies in the Abilene (Texas) Independent School District and in the Davidson County (Tennessee) Schools, and was a substitute teacher in the Memphis City Schools. She was a member of Peabody Dames. She was a member of the Executive Board of Women on Mission, Mid-South Baptist Association. With her husband she directed two international programs for the U.S. Department of State in Memphis. She was a devoted wife who brought love, comfort and happiness to her husband and home. She had great love and compassion for her daughters, grandchildren, family and friends. Frances was known for her loving spirit and her deep devotion to the Christian life and her church. She gave generously of her time and talent to various religious and educational causes. There is much more to say, but it will be contained in the hearts of her loved ones.The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until the service begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 8 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The family expresses gratitude to the personnel of Baptist Memorial Hospital and Rehab, Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab, and Signature HealthCARE of Memphis for their professionalism and concern. Individuals are asked to send memorials to the Cunningham-Petry Scholarship, Box 16100, Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas, 79698-6100, which supports tuition for students planning to be missionaries.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Behind the Stone Wall.”
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