Sonya Coleen (Smith) Cunningham, age 84, of Springfield, Missouri, went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 30, 2022. Sonya was born August 6, 1938, to Grover C. and Artie (Felton) Smith in Gamaliel, Arkansas. Losing her parents at a young age and surviving polio, among other adversities, molded Sonya into a strong, selfless individual. She lived a full life, always focused on family and church. Sonya was still leading an active life, teaching Sunday school, playing dominoes with friends, and constantly caring for others.

Sonya was very active in high school, participating in the junior/senior play, FHA, and cheerleading. She served in leadership roles in FHA and was a cheerleader, homecoming attendant, co-editor of the senior yearbook, and winner of the Covert Award her senior year.

Shortly after graduation from Houston High School, Sonya married her high school sweetheart, Charles (Charlie) Cunningham, on April 22, 1957. They spent the first years of their marriage in Wichita, Kansas, where they were blessed with their first-born son, David. They later moved to Springfield, Missouri, where they expanded their family with two more sons, Randy and James (Jim). Springfield would remain their home, where they planted roots at Galloway Baptist Church, making lifetime friends. Sonya was a member and served faithfully for over 55 years, singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school.

Sonya focused on being a homemaker and mother until the boys started school, and then became an executive assistant, and later agent, for Bankers Life and Casualty. In the late 1980's she and Charlie formed Cunningham Masonry. After retirement she worked part-time for Springfield Public Schools in dietary services. Not too long ago you may have seen her smiling face working as a cashier at Hobby Lobby.

Church and family were always central in Sonya's life. She was a devoted and loving sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend. Among Sonya's loves, were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family has many fond memories of family get-togethers, holiday gatherings, and weekends at the lake, camping, fishing, and water skiing.

Sonya was preceded in death by her parents; Charlie Cunningham; sisters, Mary Lou Cook (Harold), June Dawson (Verl), and Leta Forbes (Clay); and brothers, Bob Smith and Alfred Smith.

She is survived by sisters-in-law, Joyce Smith and Judy Smith; sons, David (Teresa), Randy, and Jim (Andrea); grandchildren, Connor, Chloe Williams (Dallas), Seth, Ashlyn, and Jack; and great grandchildren, Easton, Caden and Hollyn.

Sonya's passing will leave a void in everyone's heart. We all find comfort knowing she is having another family reunion, reunited with loved ones and friends in Heaven. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.