Lela (Shirk) Cunningham (1919)

CUNNINGHAM, SHIRK, HIGGINS

Posted By: Mary Hart, Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/17/2011 at 17:10:02

Adair County Free Press
April 1919

MRS. FRED CUNNINGHAM

Mrs. Fed Cunningham, formerly Miss Lela Shirk, passed away at a sanitarium at Spokane, Washington, Monday morning, April 21, 1919.

The summons was not entirely unexpected as recent messages conveyed the intelligence to the relatives residing here that her condition was serious.

Lela was a beautiful lovable girl, eldest child of Iva and Henry Shirk,was born and grew to womanhood in Adair County and in August, 1917, became the wife of Fred Cunningham going immediately to her new home at Spokane, Washington.

Her mother, Iva Higgins Shirk was claimed by the grim reaper several years ago and the cares of the father's home fell heavily upon young Lela but she bore her burden bravely, mothering little five year old Zelpha in a most beautiful and devoted way.

Her brother, Nile Shirk, accompanied by her grandfather, J. V. Higgins, went Monday night to be present at the obsequies.