Betty Jo CUNNINGHAM

Betty Jo Patterson Cunningham came into this world on the eve of Christmas in 1926 in Santa Rita, New Mexico and entered her eternal rest at Paradise Valley Care in Atascadero, CA on October 16, 2017.

Betty was the fourth of eight daughters born to Blanche and James Patterson. She, along with her sisters, emerged from their humble depression-era childhoods to become effective women in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Betty spent the majority of her youth in in Yuma, AZ and graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1944, where she sang in the school’s choir and played on the tennis team. While in high school she worked at the Yuma Pharmacy as a “Soda Jerk”.

After High school Betty worked at the Army Air Corp Base in Yuma and at the local newspaper, the Yuma Daily Sun. she was also an avid softball player and played shortstop for the Cactus Club Cuties. During those war years, she and her sisters enjoyed going to dances at the army base.

In 1946, she met the love of her life, Curt Cunningham. She was smitten right away and declared to her sisters that, “He is better looking than William Holden.” After a short courtship, they married on February 8, 1947. The marriage continued for 64 years until Curt passed away in September of 2011. They settled in San Luis Obispo in 1957 where they raised their three children and resided until their passings.

Besides her chosen career as a homemaker, betty was an active member of Grace Church, wehre she taught Sunday School, participated in the women’s group, the Mary Marthas, and in the development of the church’s conference grounds at Lopez Lake. She tutored children when Grace Church hosted the homeless shelter. She also held Good News Club Bible time in her home, and was a Cub Scout Den Mother. Betty was a voracious reader of sports news and like her father, was a lifelong baseball fan.

Betty’s life was a reflection of her walk with God and she will be lovingly remembered for her love and devotion to her faith and her family, her compassion for the vulnerable, and her loyalty to friends.

Betty is survived by her children, Jim Cunningham (Marty), Christine Cunningham Triggs (Marshall); grandchildren Greg, Lyndsey, Carson, Casey, Katie Jo, and Cole; great-grandchildren Gavin, Jordan, Michael, Charley, and Jace; sisters Doris McColgan and Bobbye Trotter; sister-in-law Rebecca Terry, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Curt; son Bobby; and sisters Helen, LaVerne, Virginia, Nancy, and June.

Services will be held at Los Osos Valley Mortuary at 11AM on October 23, 2017.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Child Evangelism, Box 1784, Atascadero, CA 93422, or Central Coast Hospice, 253 Granada Ave., Ste. D, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.