- Date Of Birth: March 17, 1943
- Date Of Death: October 5, 2021
- State: Utah
Ruth Cunningham, our wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away October 5, 2021, in the arms of her loving husband, Del.
Ruth, the youngest of five children, was born March 17, 1943, in Allenreed, Texas, to Autie Culbreth and Viola Greenwood. After moving to Porterville California for a short time at the age of three, she spent the majority of her childhood in the logging camp of Johnsondale, California, where she and a handful of other students got their education in a one room schoolhouse.
In the fall of 1966 Ruth met and married dashing helitack forman for the Sequoia National Forest, Delmer David Cunningham Jr. Del and Ruth spent the early years of their marriage in Kernville and Long Beach California where the Cunningham family grew to include seven boys and one girl. They were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple making their family eternal on October 19, 1974. They made their way to Utah, eventually making Brigham City their home.
Ruth selflessly served others, always ensuring her large family was cared for. She spent 17 years preparing meals for Thiokol employees and a lifetime bringing her family together at the dinner table. Her legendary culinary skills will be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to share a meal at Ruth’s table. When she wasn’t in the kitchen you could find Ruth reeling in the catch of the day, outshooting the boys at target practice, or making camp in her favorite mountain homes.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Ruth served in many callings. She particularly enjoyed fulfilling a mission with her sweetheart at the Heber Valley Girls Camp and was an Ordinance worker in the Ogden and Brigham City Temples for the last 10 years. Raising a family of eight was Ruth’s greatest work on this earth. She was blessed to watch her posterity grow to number 40 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Autie and Viola, her brother William Autie and her sister Mary Nell.
Ruth is survived by her husband Delmer David Cunningham Jr., Sons Autie Ray (Luwen) Delmer David III (Teddy), James F. (Dani), Christopher L (Serena), Robert J (Lori), Aaron J (Sarah), Michael L (Andrea), and daughter Rebecca A. (Ray) Marston, 40 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren.
