Rosena "Pat" Belle Cunningham

Rosena Belle “Pat” Cunningham, 96, of Independence, passed away May 27th, 2018. A visitation will be held Friday, June 1st from 9-10am with a funeral service following at 10:00am both at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Interment will follow at Mound Grove Cemetery. Pat was born on a very hot July 19, 1921 in Houstonia, MO to Joseph and Winona (Atwood) Lockney. Her faith is what guided her life at every turn and she would remain close to God as he sustained her. Family was everything to her, she was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother and friend. Pat worked in the church kitchen baking bread and making pies for their bake sales. She taught Sunday school and Bible school, as well as, visited nursing homes, all while raising three children. Pat is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 54 years, John “Jack” Cunningham; an infant daughter, Patricia Jo; all of her siblings, and her granddaughter, Cheryl Ann Boin. She is survived by her children, Paula Lubberts and her husband, Jeff, of Overland Park, KS, Frank Cunningham of Independence and John Cunningham Jr., of Independence; grandsons, Matthew (Lisa) Gulley and John Joseph Cunningham, as well as, 3 great-grandchildren, 2 nephews and 4 nieces. She will be remembered for her ability to love unconditionally, her extraordinary sense of humor and her sincere willingness to listen to those who were in need, whatever the reason. She was known as the “Sunshine Lady” at church. She truly was the sunshine of our lives. One of the last words she spoke were “I know God loves me”. And we are certain she was right.