Naomi Ruth (York) Cunningham-Cummings

Naomi Ruth Cunningham-Cummings was called home by her Lord and Savior on June 24, 2015, with her daughter and grandson present, while being cared for at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center, in Nevada, Mo. Naomi was born March 6, 1921, to Arthur and Ida (Zeiler) York in Ballard, Mo., one of 11 children. She was baptized at the age of 16 in a pond in the Ballard area. She attended the Bethel Methodist Church in the Ballard area. She graduated from Ballard High School in 1938.

On June 20, 1941, she was united in marriage to Laurin Paul Cunningham in Baxter Springs, Kan., where her parents had moved after leaving the farm in Ballard. To this union, one daughter, Karen Ravee`, was born March 19, 1943. In 1948, the family moved to Butler, Mo., where Laurin had been hired as a mechanic at Stanley Gray Motors which later became Bitner-Stark Motors. It was at this establishment that Laurin was killed in the Bitner-Stark fire on Jan. 10, 1974, leaving Naomi a widow.

On June 22, 1990, Naomi was married to Clifford Cummings, in Arkansas, with Naomi's daughter, Karen and Clifford's two sons, Everett and Bodie as witnesses. Naomi was left a widow again when Clifford passed away July 26, 2001.

Naomi was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Butler, Mo., from 1948 until her passing. She was very active in that church until her health no longer allowed her to continue. She was a member of the Non-Pareil Sunday school class and CWF (Christian Women's Fellowship). She made sure her family attended church and Sunday school faithfully.

During Naomi's work life she worked at Wynes Grocery then McGuire Grocery, in Butler, for many years. She then worked at J.C. Penney Company in the office for several years from which she retired.

Naomi is survived by one brother, Lonnie York (Betty) Arlington, Texas; her daughter, Karen Rose (Larry), of Nevada, Mo.; one grandson, Stephen Paul Martin (Patti), of Bates City, Mo., and Patti's adult children, Valerie and children, Justin, Christian and Taylor; one stepson, Everett Cummings (Kay), of Butler, Mo.; one stepgranddaughter, Angie Rose McGuirk (Dustin) and son, Jaden, of Billings, Mo.; her stepgrandsons, Scott Cummings (Melissa) and family, and Rick Cummings (Samantha) and family; her stepgranddaughter, Pam Salsbury (Kevin) and family; Laurin's sisters and brothers, Pauline Cunningham Osburn, Mary Louise Cunningham Barber (C.N.), Adrian Cunningham (Roberta), and Durwood Cunningham (Roberta); and many nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends, and we can't forget her pet Maine Coon Cat, Possum.

Naomi was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Ida York; three sisters, Delpha York (Infant), Artie Lippold, and Margie Lain; six brothers, Ivan York (age 16 in a hunting accident), Ervin York, Herbert York, Billie York, Glenn York, and Raymond York; both of her husbands; her stepson, Bodie Cummings; Laurin Cunningham's siblings, Dorothy Cunningham Burnett, Leonard Cunningham, Bernard Cunningham, Gale Cunningham, Wilma Cunningham Reaves, and Maxine Cunningham Bevington; and Naomi's beloved Maine Coon Cat, Dolly.

Visitation was held Thursday, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada, from 6 to 7 p.m., on June 25, and visitation in Butler, Mo., will be held again at First Christian Church, today, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m., at the church. Naomi will be buried next to her first husband, Laurin Paul Cunningham, at Oak Hill Cemetery, in Butler, Mo.

Contributions may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.