Sarah Garnell Cunningham

Cherished wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Sarah Garnell Cunningham passed away peacefully at her home on February 5, 2017, in Waco, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, at Oakwood Cemetery. Garnell was born February 8, 1923, in Temple, Oklahoma, to Joseph Garland Beasley and Nettie Shaw Beasley. She married her high school sweetheart, Ira Cunningham, on September 6, 1941, and made their home in Oklahoma while Ira served in the U.S. Army during WWII, then settled in Waco to raise two sons. She was an avid bridge player, competing in groups at Ridgewood Country Club and the Sul Ross Senior Center. She participated in the Mixson Ladies Class at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and was a member of the Mother Clucker’s Birthday Club. Garnell “Nanny” Cunningham was the grace and quiet strength of our family. She had five granddaughters that she lavished with affection and took great joy in their lives. She was a friend and a confidant, genuine with her interest, thoughtful and generous. She’d wait at the front door to hand out powerful hugs with great affection. She was elegant and funny, graceful and strong, quick to laugh and wholeheartedly enjoyed her house full of great-grandchildren. Her loss is profound, but she leaves us all with an unwavering love, respect and dedication to family. She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Glenna Beasley, Opal Lewis, Gail Beasley and Kenneth Beasley. Garnell was also preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Ira. E. Cunningham. She will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her sons, Michael E. Cunningham and Stephen J. Cunningham; daughters-in-law, Donna Cunningham and Gail Cunningham; granddaughters, Lisa Cunningham Mayfield and her wife, Kelly Mayfield, Cristin Thomas and her husband, Stephen, Kelly Morris and her husband, Bryan, Kate Goble and her husband, Grant, and Josie Roby and her husband, Justin; great-grandchildren, Trent Thomas, Chase Thomas, Addie Morris, Calvin Morris, Bo Roby, Ben Roby and Harper Mayfield; along with many friends. The family extends a deep and abiding gratitude to Teresa Arias and her children. Andrea, Grant and Mark, for their loving support, kindness and friendship. Memorials may be made to Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, 1300 Columbus Avenue, Waco TX 76710 or a charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.