Vannoy Ben Cunningham
Vannoy Ben Cunningham, age 98 of Newcastle, passed away Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Glen-haven Retirement Village inChickasha. She had been a resident there for the past three years. Vannoy was born October 15, 1920, near Lindsay, Oklahoma. She was the 4th child of seven children born to Benjamin Clayborn Williams and Clara Zenobia (Eastwood) Williams. Growing up in the country, Vannoy learned how to work hard as a young girl. She worked in the cotton and broomcorn fields throughout her school years at Dibble and even worked in the fields after getting married and having children. In 1940, she married Dennis Hodges and together they raised three children, Clara, Larry and Gala. For her first 20 years of marriage, she and Dennis farmed and lived near the Criner area, NE of Lindsay. After her farming days were over, while in her 40’s she worked at the Ballard Dairy Queen and at Worley Laundry Mat in Lindsay full-time. In 1967, Vannoy moved to Oklahoma City and worked 25 years at L & S Bearing Company. While living in OKC she met and later married Homer Cunningham. They were married for 20 years before he passed away in 1996. Soon after his passing she moved to Newcastle to be close to her family. While living in OKC, Vannoy became an active member of South Park Baptist Church. There she taught Sunday School and was a greeter. Even after she moved to Newcastle she continued attending church there. Throughout her life, Vannoy loved working with her hands and being in the outdoors. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed both vegetable and flower gardening. She was a wonderful cook and she liked to fish when she was younger. Most of all Vannoy loved spending time with her family, because they were the most important thing in her life.
She was preceded in death by: Parents, Benjamin and Clara Williams; Husband, Homer Cunningham; Two brothers, Earl and Curtis Williams, Four sisters, Bonnie Childers, Mary Coe, Faye Sikes and Ella Selby. Her daughter, Gala Garrett in Dec. 2014.
She is survived by: Daughter, Clara Green and husband Geary of Chickasha, Son, Larry Hodges and wife Jeannie of Newcastle, Son-in-law, John Garrett of Norman. Six grandchildren, Lorri Windom and husband Bruce of Chickasha, Kerri Green of Tulsa, Austin Michael Green and wife Tracy of Amber, John Jason Garrett of Oklahoma City, Todd Hodges and wife Melissa of OKC, April Withrow and husband Larry of Newcastle. Eight great grandchildren, Lexi, Landon, Chance, Ashtin, Sarah, Amanda, Reese and Easton. Three great great grandchildren, Landri, Brooks and Blakely. Also many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were 2:00 PM, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 at Newcastle Memorial Gardens in Newcastle, OK. Arrangements are by Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Newcastle. Send online condolences @wilsonlittle.com.