Norma Wade Cunningham

Norma Cunningham, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the age of 91. She was surrounded by love—with Don, her devoted husband of 71 years, by her side.

Born on August 26, 1934, in Newton, Texas, Norma was the 11th of 12 children of James and Ada Wade. While attending Marshall Junior High School in Houston, she met the love of her life, Donald Cunningham. From those early days, their bond was clear, and together they would create a life and legacy marked by faith, family, and devotion.

Norma’s high school years at Jefferson Davis High School reflected her vibrant spirit. She was a cheerleader, Secretary of the Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society, Queen of her senior class, and recipient of a four-year nursing scholarship. Admired by her classmates, she left a lasting mark as the heart of her class.

Don and Norma graduated in 1953. The following year, just before Don’s deployment to Korea with the U.S. Army, they were married on March 5, 1954, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Their marriage became an inspiring example of love and partnership to all who knew them.

After Don’s return from military service, the couple settled in Mineral Wells, Texas, where their first child, Sherry, was born. In 1956, they moved to Bryan/College Station, where Don pursued a Civil Engineering degree at Texas A&M University. During their years in Bryan/College Station, they welcomed two more daughters, Laurie and Lisa.

Following his graduation in 1962, the family relocated to Ponca City, Oklahoma, and later to Oklahoma City, where Don built a successful business and their family grew to include four more children: Stacy, Donnie, Scott, and Brad. In 1981, they moved to Austin, Texas, and in 2016 became cherished residents of Arbor Oaks at Crestview Retirement Community in Bryan, Texas.

Faith was central to Norma’s life. While living in Oklahoma City, she and Don were active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church. In Austin, they, along with other couples, helped found Hill Country Bible Church, a ministry through which Norma touched the lives of countless women, couples, and families. She was a listener, encourager, and role model whose influence extended far beyond her own family.

In 1975, Norma began experiencing symptoms of what was later diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. Officially diagnosed in 1983, she faced this disease for 50 years with remarkable grace, resilience, and dignity. Though her progression was slow and difficult, she remained a woman of joy, greeting everyone with a warm smile. Her strength and faith shone through even in the hardest times. In 2018, the family faced heartbreak with the loss of her daughter, Lisa Hatteberg, who also battled MS for more than 30 years.

Norma’s greatest joy was her family. She was the loving mother of seven children: Sherry (Bob Peters), Laurie, Lisa (Greg Hatteberg), Stacy (Michael Spickes), Donnie (Lorri Walker), Scott (Robin Lamkin), and Brad. She was a proud grandmother to 14 grandchildren: Ashley, Brittany, Stephanie, Emily, Luke, Sara Beth, Jill, David, Garrett, Colton, Daylan, Brandon, Brian, and Brady. She was a great-grandmother to 15 great-grandchildren: Ellie, Brooklyn, Addie, Hallie, Jamie, Ivy, Everlee, Cole, Jude, Jeremiah, Olive, Gus, Eden, Sage, and Teddy.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to Laurie Cunningham, whose tireless devotion and daily care over the past several years ensured Norma’s comfort and well-being. Special thanks also to Kris Stanley, her daily companion for 23 years, the Amedisys Hospice team, Norma’s cherished caregiver and friend Beth Brown, and the compassionate Crestview nurses and staff.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, Texas. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 3:00 p.m. A graveside service will take place at 4:30 p.m. at The Aggie Field of Honor, with a reception following at 6:00 p.m. at Arbor Oaks at Crestview Retirement Community.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if you would make a donation to the Crestview Covenant Benevolence Fund.

www.MRCaff.org/giving. Give now > Crestview > Covenant Benevolence Fund > In Memory of Norma Cunningham.

Norma’s legacy of love, faith, and perseverance will continue to live on in the many lives she touched. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered.