Phyllis Cunningham

Phyllis Corrine Cunningham, 95, of Neodesha, KS. passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha, KS.

A Celebration of life services will be Friday, April 24, 2020, at 10:00am at Church of the Ascension, Episcopal Church in Neodesha, KS. Visitation will be Thursday, April 23, 2020, at Loran Fawcett Chapel in Neodesha, KS. The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at that time.

Phyllis Corrine Cunningham was born April 24, 1924, in Conway Springs, KS. the daughter of Charlie and Goldie (Cease) Rankin, Phyllis attended school in Benedict, KS. and graduated from Benedict High School in 1942. On June 8, 1947, Phyllis was united in marriage to Melvin Wayne Cunningham in Fredonia, KS.

Phyllis was a resident of Wilson County for 78 years and a resident of Neodesha for 41 years, after she graduated in May 1942, she was employed in the Wilson County Clerk’s office in Fredonia, KS. and later in the clerical Department, and then Boeing Aircraft Company, Wichita, KS.

Phyllis entered the cadet nursing program at Mercy Hospital, Independence, KS. with specialized training at St. John’s school of nursing, Tulsa, OK. and graduated in June 1946 as a Registered Nurse by National League of Nursing. Phyllis’s first position in nursing in 1946 was at Wilson County Hospital, Neodesha, KS. as a surgical and obstetrics nurse.

In 1950 to 1951, Phyllis was employed at the St. Margaret’s Mercy Hospital, Fredonia, KS as a surgical nurse in the surgical department. From January 1951 to 1954, Phyllis was employed with the Standard oil Company (Indiana) Neodesha, KS.as an industrial nurse. Her department was with the personnel, safety and plan and benefits division.

1955 to 1962 Phyllis was employed as a general relief nurse and private duty nurse at the Wilson County Hospital, Neodesha, KS. and Mercy Hospital, Independence, KS. 1962 Phyllis was employed by F.A. Moorhead, M.D. as a clinical nurse.

In 1967, Phyllis was employed by Montgomery County Health Department, Independence, KS. as a Public Health Nurse.

December 1973 Phyllis began employment with Wilson County Hospital as a staff nurse and she held that position until Phyllis took over the lease of the Golden Key’s Nursing Home from the Wilson County as the Administrator of the nursing home and held that position until her retirement in 2002, then Phyllis started employment at the Grand Villa’s as a nurse and because of health reasons step away in 2007.

Phyllis is survived by 3 sons Stephen Cunningham and Jon Cunningham both of Neodesha, KS. and Phillip Cunningham and wife Janie of Grove, OK. and Toni Barnhart a Special Daughter 12 grandchildren Michelle & Tony Lawyer, Angie Cunningham, Kyle & Kayla Cunningham, Clint & Tracy Cunningham, Dustin Cunningham, Keisha & Shawn Kisling, Amy & Clint Schafer, Jon Wayne & Drea Cunningham, Chelsea & Mike Olson, Caitlin Mahan and Connor Mahan, Gavin Fitts and 16 great grandchildren, Brecken & Baylor Olson, Mason Schafer, Ethan Schafer, Lance Schafer, Dawson, Nyah, Caden, Colton, Camden, Payge, Kestin, Peysen, Brenden, Chloe, Landon, Sophia.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her loving husband Melvin Wayne Cunningham, her parent’s and grandson Brandon Cunningham and great grandson Gunner Matthew Lee Murray her sister Wilma Goellert and her brother Charles Rankin.

The family suggest in lieu of flowers Memorial’s be left in Phyllis Name to Church of the Ascension, Episcopal Church of Neodesha or to the Phyllis C Cunningham Nursing Scholarship thru Wilson Medical Center of Neodesha, KS. On-Line condolences can be left to the family by going to www.loranfawcettfuneralhome.com