Neva Bailey Ritter Cunningham, 77, a lifelong resident of Beaumont, Texas, died April 8, 2010, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jesse P. Cunningham; and her mother, Valda McLean Klein Poland.
Neva attended local schools leaving David Crockett Jr. High to accompany her parents to Venezuela. She returned to the United States to live at St. Mary’s Academy in Austin, Texas. After returning to Beaumont in 1948, she enrolled in St Anthony High School.
Neva was a real estate broker with Moodye Williamson Agency. She was very proud of her association with the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce where she served as 1983 membership chairman, was a member of the Presidents Club for two years and a graduate of Leadership Beaumont. Other organizations were Women’s Council of Realtors, Jefferson County Bar Auxiliary, and charter member and officer of the Jaycettes.
She is survived by her seven children, Sierra (Donna) Ritter Spruce and her husband Marshall Gluskin of Kona, Hawaii, Duane Scott Ritter and his wife Shaun of Blanco, Texas, Diane Ritter Crow of Hockley, Texas, Dana Susan Ritter Janosek and her husband James Kevin of Corpus Christi, Texas, Patricia Cunningham Reaves of Waco, Texas, Cindy Cunningham Pierson and her husband Roger of South Carolina, and David Stine Cunningham of Beaumont; grandchildren, Avery Ritter Elias, Andrew Ritter, Laina Crow, Teresa Crow, Jennifer Janosek, Sarah Janosek, Jeffrey Anderson, Amanda Anderson Mosely, Melissa Pierson Cerniski, Shannon Pierson Williams, Kelly Pierson, Nadia Gluskin and Mikayla Gluskin; and several great grandchildren.
Her memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A committal will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Broussard’s Crematorium.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Bodo Brauer, Dr. Robert Birdwell, Dr. Leldon Sweet, Adam LaRive, and Michael A. Phelan.
Friends wishing may send memorial contributions to Christus Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center, 690 North 14th Street, 3rd Floor, Beaumont, Texas 77702 in memory of Neva Cunningham.
