Jeannette “Jeannie” Cunningham

Jeannette “Jeannie” Cunningham
1941 – 2026

Jeannette “Jeannie” Cunningham, 84, of Panhandle, passed away on May 22, 2026, peacefully surrounded by family. She was a devoted wife, mother, Granny and friend.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the First Methodist Church of Panhandle. Burial will follow in Panhandle Cemetery under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle. The family will receive guests from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 25, 2026, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, her memory may be honored with a gift to First Methodist Church of Panhandle or Casa of Amarillo.

Jeannie was born on Sept. 22, 1941, in Pampa, to Thelma Gatlin and Siler Hopkins. She married Toby Cunningham and together they raised three children, Donny and wife Julie of Friendswood, Texas, Nikki Smith of Lockney, Texas, and Dr. Sam Cunningham and wife Tracey, from Amarillo.

Jeannie worked for 20 years for Panhandle High School as the secretary. She then went to the Carson County courthouse where she worked in the Judge’s office and moved to work in the Clerk’s office. She ran for County Treasurer and served the County from 1995 to 2006.

Jeannie always felt called to missionary work. She realized her work would not lead her to a different country, but to serve children by working with Casa of Amarillo. She won several awards while volunteering. Such awards include the Bob Moore FIERCE advocacy award in 2015 and the Volunteer Advocate of the Year in 2016. She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Panhandle where she served in many different roles.

She is survived by her husband and love of her life, Toby; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Litchfield of Tucumcari, N.M.; her children; and her grandchildren: Codi (Lance) Lamberson of Panhandle; Tobi Ann (Adam) Stuart of Kemp, Texas; Dustin (Rita) Cunningham of League City, Texas; Samantha (Brandon) Disney-Harper of Fort Worth; Daniel Duncan of Fort Worth;  Rowdy (Kylie) Cunningham of Panhandle; and Summer (Vincent) Urbanczyk of Liberty Hill, Texas. Jeannie was also blessed with 17 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.