Ethel (Faye) Cunningham

Ethel “Faye” (Neeley) Cunningham was born on July 4, 1930, in Quail, Texas to parents Ziliba “Z.J.” and Opal Neeley.  Faye was peacefully called home on Monday, February 8, 2021 in Southlake, Texas.  She was 90 years old. Faye graduated valedictorian from Quail High School and went on to continue her education at Texas Tech University, where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics Education.

While attending Texas Tech, Faye met the handsome, full of life man, who would become her husband, James Cunningham. James Cunningham and Faye Neeley were married June 2, 1951 in Wellington, Texas and were married 65 years, just a few days shy of 66 years.  Together they had two sons, Allen Ray Cunningham, and Mark Thomas Cunningham.

Faye began her career as a Home Economics teacher at Whiteface High School in Whiteface, Texas.  From Whiteface, Faye moved to Spearman, Texas where she worked as a substitute teacher for Spearman ISD.  Faye, along with her husband James, also worked together with Cunningham Insurance Agency as representatives for Germania Insurance until 1999.

Faye lived in Spearman for 45 years and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church serving her God and her community. She spent many hours volunteering for Bible School, offering Bible Study in her home, reading to those with vision problems, making visits to the Spearman nursing home, delivering Meals on Wheels, using her outstanding skills as a baker to raise money for fundraisers, and caring for others wherever she found a need.

Faye was an excellent seamstress as well, and upon discovering her first grandchild was going to be a girl, she ran right out and bought a new sewing machine to get started making outfits for her.

Rather than become a “golfer’s widow”, Faye learned to play golf some years after moving to Spearman and became an outstanding and avid golfer.  She and James could be found at the Hansford County Golf Course whenever the weather allowed, playing in Pampa’s Senior Tournaments, or traveling to play with friends and family.

One of Faye’s favorite Bible versus was 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12:

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” This verse is true to how she lived her life.  She supported her husband behind the scenes, but always by his side, as he took on many active roles within the community.

Faye loved and enjoyed spending time with family.  Very little brought her more joy than spending time with and visiting with her son, her grandkids, her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and special friends. She never got tired of saying, “Can you believe I am one of nine children?” or sharing about Mark, Regan, and Austin...as well as her nieces and nephews.

We rejoice that she is now with Jesus and having quite the family reunion in heaven!

Faye is survived by her son, Mark T. Cunningham and wife, Suzanne, of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter, Regan Cunningham Miles, and husband, Brandon, of Fort Worth, Texas; grandson, Dr. Austin T. Cunningham, of Dallas, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Noah Miles and Emery Miles of Fort Worth, Texas; three brothers, Jack Neeley and wife, Peggy, of Wellington, Texas; Zeke Neeley and wife, Tommie, of Amarillo, Texas; Walter Neeley and wife, Peggy, of Amarillo, Texas, and one sister, Fern Neeley Jett and husband, Kenneth, of Limon, Colorado, as well as many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

Faye was preceded in death by her husband, James Allen Cunningham; son, Allen Ray Cunningham; parents, Ziliba “Z.J.” and Opal Neeley; three sisters, Joyce Neeley Kersten; Alpha Neeley Brock; Jonnie Neeley Handley; and one brother, Raymond “Son” Neeley.

We would like to express our deepest heartfelt gratitude to our Silverado Memory Care and Silverado Hospice family, for the life, laughter, love, compassion, and extraordinary care so many have provided to Faye and our entire family for the last 6 ½ years.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery; 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, Texas.

Faye will be laid to rest alongside her husband, James.

In lieu of flowers, Faye would have encouraged a donation to be made to your favorite charity, or just help someone out who is in need.