Betty Ruth Vandergriff Cunningham Tate

Betty Ruth was the 4th child of Issac Hubbert "Hub" and Lula Mae Hood Vandergriff. She was born on May 1, 1920, in Campbell, Texas. She married Martin Edward "Goat" Cunningham on September 21, 1938, and lived near Cooper, near Commerce and in Fairlie and Branom. In 1949 she was employed by Adams and Haggard Sewing Factories. She was also employed by Sherwood Medical. She was licensed as a LVN and worked in nursing homes in the community. She was a Super Saleswoman. She sold products for Avon, Watkins and Stanley Brushes at different times in her life. In 1985, she and "Goat" retired in Jacksonville, Texas. After the death of Martin Edward in October of 1987, she met G. C. "Bill" Tate of Sulphur Springs. They were married in September of 1992. In May of 2003, she lost her second husband, "Bill". She was a member of Craft Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas where she lived for 25 years. She was an avid bowler, fisherwoman, and gardener.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents: Issac Hubbert "Hub" Vandergriff and Lula Mae Hood Vandergriff, her 4 brothers and 1 sister: Jessie Doyle Vandergriff, Robert Roy Vandergriff, Bessie Mae Vandergriff, William "Willie" Bland Vandergriff and William Earl Vandergriff.

She is survived by her two sons: Edward Earl Cunningham and his wife, Maredia Maye Haddock Cunningham of Arlington, Texas and James Herbert Cunningham and his wife, Rose Ann O'Dell Cunningham of Jacksonville, Texas, four grandchildren: Barry Cunningham of North Richland Hills, Texas; Lisa Cunningham Sepulveda and her husband, Brian, of Arlington, Texas; Bryce Cunningham and his wife, Megan, of Round Rock, Texas and Kelly Cunningham Taber and her husband, Chris, of Tyler, Texas, and thirteen great-grandchildren as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Cunningham Family will receive family and friends at the visitation held at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home in Commerce, Texas, which will be followed by a Graveside Service held at Sonora Cemetery in Fairlie, Texas.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home. The procession will leave the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. for graveside services at Sonora Cemetery, Fairlie, Texas.