Ruth Ann Cunningham

Ruth Ann Ewing Cunningham was born into this world on September 19, 1945 to Clyde Emerson Ewing and Gertrude Helen Strader in Fairview, Oklahoma. She was born into God's family at the age of 12 when she gave her life to her Lord and Master, Jesus Christ at an old-fashioned revival meeting. Ruth Ann was born into heaven as she entered into the presence of her Heavenly Father on September 24, 2025 from Dubuque, Iowa.

As a teenager, Ruth Ann made the second best decision of her life when she fell in love with Lyle Elton Cunningham. They were married in 1965 in Fairview, Oklahoma where they both graduated from high school. Ruth Ann went on to attend Southwestern State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education. She then used her degree to teach school in Morse and Garland, Texas. With great joy, Lyle and Ruth Ann welcomed their sons, Lance Elton and Chad Emerson in 1972 and 1973 making their family complete. After Lyle graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary, together they planted a church in Norman, Oklahoma followed by ministries in Wichita, Kansas and Shafter, California. Then they built California Vacuflo together before ministering at Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church in Oklahoma completing the circle and returning home to where their story started. After retiring from ministry they relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma where Ruth Ann served the residents of Burgundy Place Independent Living with a warm smile and a kind word. Later, Lyle and Ruth Ann unexpectedly returned to pastoral ministry in Stillwell, Oklahoma at Grace Bible Chapel before moving to Dubuque, Iowa to be closer to son Chad and his family and finally enjoy true retirement.

Ruth Ann's greatest desire was to be a godly wife and mother and to encourage others in their walk with Jesus Christ. She accomplished this through teaching Sunday School and mentoring young women but most of all by supporting Lyle as they served together in business and ministry and by loving, encouraging, and teaching their sons. Another way she did this was by working hard to make sure vacations at Beaver Lake were special for everyone, starting with their family of four and eventually expanding to many more as the family grew over the years. She also loved entertaining friends and family in her home, often hosting dinners with delicious food and lots of laughter. Her motto was, "If a little is good, more is better" and that especially applied to chocolate and loving her grandchildren! Music was a major part of the Ewing family. Ruth Ann sang solos throughout grade school and high school and especially enjoyed singing duets with her father while her mother played the piano. Later in life she continued to make music a priority encouraging and reveling in the musical talents of her sons and grandchildren. Despite her lifelong struggle with pain, her focus was always to make life better for those around her living a life of sacrifice, patient endurance, and joy that touched everyone who came in contact with her. Today she is standing tall and dancing with her Savior.

Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her mother and father and eldest brother Robert Neil Ewing. She leaves behind to celebrate her life: husband Lyle, sons Lance (Summer) and Chad (Stephanie), grandchildren Ellen, Liam, Brianne, William, Alayna, and Alexis and bonus grandson Jadin, brother Bruce (Linda) and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 3, 2025 at the Homestead Bible Church at Homestead, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Homestead Cemetery under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home, Fairview, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ruth Ann's memory to Emmaus University, 2570 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.piercefuneralhomes.com.