Helen Elizabeth Cunningham, a former longtime resident of Schulter, died March 29, 2014 in Jenks at the age of 89.
Helen was born Feb. 26, 1925 in Cripple Creek, Colo., to Youl Benjamin Brazell and Anna Mae Manley Brazell. Helen spent her early years in Colorado before moving to Oklahoma with her family, as her father was a miner. Her family moved first to Hollis in the late 1920\'s and then later moved to Schulter where her father worked in coal mines. Helen graduated from Schulter High School. She married the love of her life, A.J. Cunningham, in Norman Nov. 20, 1943 and they remained married until A.J.\'s death in 1987. Helen was a member of the Eastern Star and Rebekah Lodge and was also a member of Schulter Baptist Church. Helen worked for several years in the Kist peanut plant in Okmulgee. She later worked for Floyd Perryman Construction Company in Schulter, while Perryman Construction was working in widening Highway 75 through the Okmulgee county area. Helen was a legal secretary and worked for former district attorney Odie Webb from 1967-1979. She retired in 1979 after 12 years of service to the former Okmulgee and McIntosh County district attorney's office She is preceded in death by her husband, A.J. who died in 1987; both her mother and father; and a son, Ronald Bruce Cunningham who died in 1990.
Helen is survived by a daughter, Karen Ann Baribeau and husband Larry of Houston, Tex.; brother, Donald Brazell and wife Ileta of Wichita, Kans.; a granddaughter, Michelle Cunningham of Bixby; three great grandchildren, Ryan Smith and Cody Smith of Morris and Brooklyn Ravenscroft of Bixby; grandson, MIchael Cunningham of Okmulgee; and a daughter-in-law, Georgine Dagenet of Okmulgee; as well as other extended family, church family, and many good friends.
Viewing for Helen will be held at Integrity Funeral Service Sunday, March 30, 2014 from 3 to 8 p.m. and Monday, March 31, 2014 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Integrity Chapel with Rev. Jack Vance officiating. Interment will follow immediately at Westlawn Cemetery under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service of Henryetta.