Frances Fannie Shofner

CUNNINGHAM, Frances Emeline SHOFNER – Mrs. J.C. Cunningham suffered a stroke of paralysis at her home one mile west of town, Tuesday afternoon and is in a serious condition: no improvement reported today. [Prairie Grove Herald 7/29/1915]

Mrs. J.C. Cunningham, whose illness was reported last week, is very much improved. [Prairie Grove Herald 8/5/1915]

A Good Woman Has Gone To Her Reward – Again has this community been called upon to mourn the death of one of its sainted mothers, that of Mrs. Frances Emeline Cunningham, wife of James C. Cunningham, who laid down the burdens of this life and entered upon that life eternal on Tuesday morning about 11:30 o’clock. On July 27 Mrs. Cunningham was stricken with paralysis at her home one mile west of town, and was never able to be up again.

Mrs. Cunningham was in the 70th year of her age. She was born in Bedford County, Tennessee March 30, 1846. She was about ten years old when she came to Arkansas with her parents. She had been twice married. In 1866 she was married to Mr. Abram Wilson. One child was born to this union, now Mrs. J.C. Rogers of Prairie Grove. After the death of her first husband, she was married to Mr. J.C. Cunningham in 1876. To this union five children were born, four of whom survive. Messrs. Newt Cunningham, Will Cunningham, Earl Cunningham and Mrs. Tinnie Moore. Two step-daughters, Mrs. A.J. Wilson and Mrs. John F. Brunk, to whom she was a mother and guiding star in their younger lives. She is also survived by two brothers, Messrs. Will and B.D. Shofner who were with her in her last illness.

About the year 1874 she professed faith in Christ and united with the Protestant Methodist church, but soon after her second marriage she placed her church membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian church, in which organization she was a faithful Christian worker until her death.

Funeral services were held at the Cumberland Presbyterian church Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock, conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. Preston Campbell, assisted by Rev. F.R. Hamilton, pastor of the Methodist church and the interment was made in the Prairie Grove Cemetery. The attendance at the funeral services were very large. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful. [Prairie Grove Herald 8/26/1915]

Resolutions of Respect – Our All Wise Heavenly Father, in His Infinite Wisdom, has taken another one of our beloved church workers, Mrs. J.C. Cunningham, to receive her reward in heaven, and,

Whereas, her long association with the members of the Missionary Society of the Cumberland Presbyterian church makes it eminently befitting that we take this manner of showing our deep regard to her family, therefore be it

Resolved. First – That while we deeply deplore and mourn the death of our beloved mother, Mrs. J.C. Cunningham, yet we bow our hearts in humble submission to Him “who doeth all thing’s well.”

Second – That the Society has lost one of its most faithful and earnest workers, and that we owe a debt of gratitude to her memory, for her helpful influence in our society during her sojourn in our midst.

Third – That we extend to the grief-stricken family our sincere sympathy and our desire that they be comforted by the One who heals the broken-hearted.

Fourth – That a copy of these resolutions be kept upon our Society Minutes, another be sent to the Family of our deceased member and, also a copy be sent to the Prairie Grove Herald for publication. – By Committee on Resolutions – Mrs. J.P. Campbell, Chairman, Mrs. Jarvis Barker, Miss Lilly Marrs [Prairie Grove Herald 9/16/1915]

A reunion of Mrs. J.C. Cunningham’s children and their families was held at Mr. Cunningham’s home Friday in honor of his daughter, Mrs. Clyde Moore of Stigler, Oklahoma, who is visiting her father. There were 43 present and a very enjoyable day was spent by all. [Prairie Grove Herald 4/24/1919]