Marlene Cunningham

Marlene Cunningham, 89, of Moberly, MO, went home to be with the Lord after a brief illness, Friday, March 7, 2025.

Marlene was born, August 29, 1935, in Brunswick, MO, to Floyd Arthur Baxley and Gladys Mae (Noah) Baxley. She graduated from Brunswick High School in 1954. Marlene married Bob Cunningham, April 27, 1956, who proceeds her in death, having died, October 8, 2024.

Marlene was a longtime employee of the former Sears store in Moberly. Prior to her time at Sears, she worked for the late Virgil and Bonnie Thurston at the Crossroads and Colonial Inn Restaurants.

She is survived by her three children: Jeff (Lisa) Cunningham, Moberly, Mark (Carol) Cunningham, Cairo, and Diane Cunningham, Columbia, MO. She leaves behind six grandchildren: Michael and wife Mindy, Mitchell and wife Emily, Jessica, Jennifer, Jourdan, and Shelby. She has seven great-grandchildren: Caitlyn Reed, Gavin Reed, Allison Dunwoody, Jase, Grant, Madison and Maclin and two great-great-grandchildren: Olivia and Konnor Harville.

Marlene was the oldest of six children and the only girl. With her father a boiler maker, he spent most of his time on the road to the various worksites. Once the children started school, Marlene and the kids remained at home in the Bosworth/Brunswick area with Marlene sharing much of the parental duties with her mother. It was during this time Marlene perfected the long-lost art of cutting up a chicken. Her fried chicken was second to none and her macaroni and tomato dish was unmatched.

While their kids were still young, Marlene and Bob loved taking family winter ski trips to Colorado with long-time friends Mary Evelyn and Ed Eschliman. In their later years they enjoyed taking cruises with a host of friends. Besides her love of travel, Marlene had a thirst for life, relishing both water and snow skiing, she was devoted to her family and had a love of dancing. She was the family driver, often driving entire distances to Colorado for ski trips stating, “just keep my coffee cup full and cigarettes lit, and I’ll be alright.”

While small in stature, that did not stop her from having fun with her much bigger sons, at times crawling over a couch to join in wrestling matches. That continued for much of the boy’s younger years but ended shortly after the boys realized they were bigger and during one final match picked her up, carried her outside and threw her in the snow.

While she loved her family, nothing pleased her more than shopping, especially shopping for clothes. She never passed on a sale and sometimes she made that purchase because she really needed a fifth jacket or 12th top with sequins. She did like those tops that sparkled.

There was never any question of who she was rooting for during sporting events for her children. She was an avid vocal supporter, much to her child’s embarrassment at times. It did not matter to her; they were her kids, and she was there to show her support.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Odell Baxley, Carl Dennis Baxley, Allen Baxley, Ronnie Lee Baxley, Michael Baxley, and sister Lida Mae Baxley.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation held at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel,  followed by funeral services honoring and celebrating Marlene's life.  Committal prayer and entombment took place at the Resurrection Mausoleum, Oakland Cemetery.