Skip to content

Betty Cunningham

Services were Sunday at 2 p.m. at Cryer Funeral Home in Obion. Harrell Davidson of Hornbeak Church of Christ, where she was an active member, officiated. Burial followed at Mount Moriah Cemetery outside Obion.
Pallbearers were Richard Hood, Randy Evans, Shane Sanford, Jeremy Sanford, William Sanford and Tyler Underwood. Honorary pallbearers were Tim Fox and Mark Vanzant.
The family requests that memorials be made to Obion Community Center at Obion City Hall; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.
Mrs. Cunningham was born Sunday, Jan. 28, 1934, daughter of the late Trice and Mallie (Michael) Caughron of the Frog Level community.
She was the wife of the late John Ray Cunningham, who preceded her in death Feb. 28, 2004.
On April 24, 1954, the couple eloped to Tupelo, Miss., to get married, as did many of the couples during that era.
She was the mother of Debbie (Mrs. Rodney) Underwood and Patty (Mrs. Barry) Harris, all of Obion. She leaves four grandchildren, Shane Sanford, Jeremy Sanford and his wife, Amanda, and Tyler Underwood and his wife, Emily, all of Obion, and Callie Smith and her husband, Ryan, of Cornersville; eight great-grandchildren, Danielle Sanford, Alexis Alexander, Bryson Underwood, Cooper Sanford, Jax Underwood and FinLee Sanford, all of Obion, and Jackson Smith and Emaline Smith, both of Cornersville; and her sister, Jackie Zaricor of Kenton.
She was also preceded in death by her brother, Billy Caughron, on May 31, 2000.
Mrs. Cunningham graduated from the former Cloverdale High School. Shortly after their marriage, she and John Ray moved to Chicago, where both of their daughters were born. She worked many years at the Woolworth’s chain in Chicago.
In the mid 1960s, they returned to Tennessee and settled in Obion, living their lives out at the same location. In later years, she worked with Cook Auction Co., as she had a passion for antiques. If anyone wanted to know about a designer or style of antiques, they could depend on Betty to inform them, and if she didn’t know, she would find out.
She was quite a unique lady. She was exceptionally active in her hometown community and was fondly known as “Obion’s Grandmaw,” and “Miss Obion.” Other titles included “The Gravy Stirrin’,” “Easter Egg Stuffin’,” Carrot Cake Bakin’,” Fund Raisin’” and “Bingo Playin’ Lady.”
If there was an event going on in her town or at the local community center, you could be sure she was there and doing what she could to support it and make sure everything was going like it should. She would lend a hand to anyone in need and everyone knew she could be depended on.
Betty will definitely be missed by her family and friends.
 Condolences may be left for the family at www.cryerfuneralhome.com.