Dorothy Mae Cunningham

DESLOGE -- Dorothy Mae (LaPlante) Cunningham was born on January 2, 1922, in Flat River, Mo., to Nellie and James "Bunt" LaPlante. She passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2015, in Midland, Texas. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 28, at C.Z. Boyer and Son Funeral Home in Desloge, followed by burial at St. Francois Memorial Park in Bonne Terre. Midland arrangements were handled by Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

Dorothy grew up in Flat River and graduated in 1939 from Flat River High School where she was known for her shorthand abilities. After graduation, she worked for Union Electric, a finance company and the Chevrolet dealership. She later worked at the Chevrolet dealership in Hobbs, N.M.

Dorothy was married on March 6, 1948, to Robert Eugene Cunningham. They moved to Jal, New Mexico, where he began a career with El Paso Natural Gas Company. That job took them to Goldsmith, Texas, Hobbs, New Mexico, and then Ulysses, Kansas, before Bob retired. The couple then moved to Desloge. They were members of First Baptist Church of Farmington. Bob passed away in February 2009. Dorothy moved in 2010 to Midland, Texas, to be near a daughter. While there, she attended Christ Church Anglican with her daughter's family.

Through the years, Dorothy excelled at crafts. She handmade baby clothes for her first child. She sewed many of her children's clothing and also enjoyed embroidering, upholstering and refinishing old furniture.

Survivors include a son, Robert Michael Cunningham of Frederick, Colorado; two daughters, Lana (John) Cooper of Midland, Texas, and Janet C. Stephens of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; four grandchildren, John Michael Stephens of Glendale, Arizona, Tia Lynne Stephens of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Kristin Alyssa (Cory) Hayes of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Christopher Cooper of Midland, Texas; and nine great-grandchildren, Aleyna Denise Allen of Rio Rancho; and Julia, Bella, Thaddeus, Aben, Caelynn, Aloiyse, Analillia, and Asa Hayes, all of Colorado Springs; a brother, Murrill James LaPlante of Park Hills; and a sister, Doris Jean House of Desloge; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Manor Park and others who helped care for Dorothy in her last years.

Memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church of Farmington, Missouri; Christ Church Anglican in Midland, Texas; Home Hospice of Midland or Manor Park in Midland.

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