Freda Marie Cunningham, at the age of 92, went to be with her Lord on March 12, 2026, in Prosper, Texas. She passed away at home with her husband, Paul, peacefully though unexpectedly.

Freda was born on October 27, 1933, on a farm in Hartley County near Dalhart. Texas. Her parents were Willie and Effie Ritchey. Freda attended several West Texas elementary schools, located in Dalhart, Hartley and Sedan. She enjoyed playing girls basketball and was an excellent student. She graduated from Clayton High School in New Mexico in 1952. Freda attended Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, and Draughn's Business College in Lubbock. She then joined the staff at the First Baptist Church in Dumas, Texas. This was followed by two and a half years on staff at the Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Freda met Paul Cunningham while singing in the church choir while Paul was currently stationed at Lackland Air Force Base. They married at Trinity Baptist Church on December 28, 1957. Freda and Paul resided in Oklahoma City for most of their remaining years. There they raised three children, Carmen, Nancy and Grant.

Freda was preceded in death by her, parents, sisters, Othelia Field and Veretta Weiland, and son, Grant Evan (2002). She is survived by her husband, Paul; daughters, Carmen (Kent) Choate, of Sand Springs, OK, and Nancy (Bob) Royall, of Prosper, TX; daughter-in-law, Kristin (Jim) Henke, of Little Rock, AR; grandchildren, Kendall (Kasey) Choate, Kyle Choate, Kevin (Carley) Choate, Ashlyn Royall, Erin Royall, Caitlin (Erfan) Royall Ebadipour, Will (Kali) Cunningham Henke, Evan (Ansley) Cunningham Henke, and Blake Cunningham Henke; great grandchildren, Kamsin, Cera, Kendi, Sadie, Kaleo, and Norah (and two more due in May and October). Also brother-in-law, Herman Weiland, many nieces, nephews, and their families.

During her entire life, Freda was faithful to her Christian faith. At the age of thirteen, she professed faith in Jesus Christ while attending the First Baptist Church in Sedan, New Mexico. She and her husband Paul were active in their local church throughout their 68 years of marriage. Freda taught and directed many children's Sunday School classes over the years and was a busy trainer for the Baptists of Oklahoma in children's ministry. She and Paul worked with teenagers for several years, and she faithfully prepared Bible lessons for her adult women's classes for many years. At the time of her passing, Freda was a member of the Prestonwood Baptist Church in Prosper, Texas.

In 2002, when her son, Grant died at the age of 37, Freda's faith and love of Jesus was her rock. She knew Grant was in heaven and she'd see him again.

For more than 35 years, Freda was an active member of the Oklahoma County Home and Community Education Group. She chaired many committees and led in most every capacity when leadership was needed. During this time, Freda orchestrated a state-wide effort to place the name and location of every cemetery in the state of Oklahoma into directories. With the help of a wonderful assistant and many volunteers from the local groups throughout the state who helped them with pictures and immense details, they were able to capture all the cemeteries in one resource, which had never been cataloged before. The project extended over a period of several years. She was proud of the Cemetery Directories that were published and available at the Oklahoma Historical Society Library.

Freda was possibly the kindest person anyone could know. She always trusted in the Lord and His provision for all her needs and more. She showed her own family how to treasure each other and our memories, and her genealogy work was a passion. She eagerly stepped up to provide leadership whenever needed. She supported her friends in need and always had a smile and words of encouragement. Freda understood that quality endures. She was never wasteful, and she always recycled. She enjoyed new recipes (which became more creative as she grew older) and made sure Paul had bread with his meals and a sweet treat for dessert. She was proud of her children and grandchildren. She inspired her children to be creative and give their best. She enjoyed sharing her creations, memorabilia and flowers at the county fair, and always shared her love for her Lord.

Freda will be greatly missed and fondly remembered, especially when her family is together.

Freda's memorial service will be held Monday, March 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Northwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Interment of her earthly remains will be in the Chapel Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel Funeral Home, 918-585-1151