Born March 10, 1951, Martha grew up in Baytown, the second daughter of Claude and Mary Glenn Cunningham. She attended Robert E. Lee High School, where she fell in love with band led by the talented Charles Forque who brought in the famed trumpeter Doc Severinsen every year to play with the band. An obvious admirer of Severinson, Martha chose to play the cornet and went on to Sam Houston State University where she graduated with a Music Education degree. Martha then moved to College Station where she worked as a medical clerk. She also took up running, always with her beloved rescue dog Peaches. She completed at least two half-marathons. Returning to Baytown, she worked at Sterling Municipal Library for 20 years. She was also a long-time member of Memorial Baptist Church.
Martha lived in assisted living at The Waterford of Baytown for the past 13 years, and before her death she was their longest resident. She loved her life there. Despite numerous health issues, she was always on the go, never missing an activity, whether it was Wednesday lunch out, Bingo, joy rides around town in the Waterford van, or the celebration of every holiday. She is remembered there as being incredibly funny, having a memory like a steel trap, and powering through obstacles with total optimism and enthusiasm.
Besides her humor and her great smile, Martha is remembered for her love of cats. She had many over the years, including her last cat, Cheddar, whom she adored and who gave her great comfort over their years together.
Martha is survived by her only sibling, her sister Linda Cunningham, her brother-in-law, Linn Hobbs of Boston, Massachusetts, and her beloved nephew Franklin Hobbs and his wife Melissa of Watertown, Wisconsin. She is also survived by her loving step-family, Susannah, Nick, Ben, and Rowan Howe of Northampton, Massachusetts, and many, many friends with whom she has kept in touch over the years, evident by the number of cards she sent and received on every occasion.
The service for Martha Ann Cunningham, who died June 16, 2023, will be held on Saturday, July 22, at 2:00 pm in the Great Room at The Waterford at Baytown, 901 W. Baker Road. It will be an informal gathering for people who loved Martha to be together and celebrate her life by sharing their stories and memories of her.
She will be buried in the Cunningham family cemetery in Newton, Mississippi.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at navarrefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alley Cat Allies in honor of Martha’s love of cats at 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600, Bethesda MD 20814-2525 or at www.alleycat.org. See Tribute donation form on the website.
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