Jo Cunningham passed from this life on February 20, 2018. She was born February 28, 1932 in Oklahoma City listed only as "Baby" on her birth certificate. Although she was adopted, she yearned for a family and identity. She was blessed with both. Self-taught at the age of four, she was a voracious reader, saying it allowed her to escape and travel places. Did she ever! Later in life, she discovered her Native American heritage and became a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Considered the foremost authority on American dinnerware and pottery, she authored numerous books. As a featured speaker at shows across the country, she made a host of wonderful friends and fellow collectors. During her research, she interviewed the era's most celebrated designers and was especially thrilled to work in the Smithsonian archives. Jo was amazingly unstoppable and lived life to the fullest. In her senior years, she learned and loved to swim, completing a marathon! She volunteered her time to many organizations The Pregnancy Care Center, Springfield Victory Mission, The Literacy Counsel, Hospice and her favorite, Friends of the Library.  She always said "My family has been and continues to be the most important thing in my life. I always wanted a large family!" Well she got one! Of her eight children, she is survived by Jerri Graves Schaeffer (Michael), Mary Jo Stanton (Jon), Carrie Rey (Charley), Brian Cunningham, Curtis Cunningham (Tiffany) and Kevin Cunningham (Teresa), 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her first born infant daughter Paula Jo Graves, her second daughter, Terry Ann Graves, her granddaughter, Grace Ellen Stanton, and her husband, Windsor Wayne Cunningham. She was a member of Jefferson Avenue Church and loved her Lord Jesus her God with all her heart and soul and was a shining example of faith to her family. She loved people and people adored her with her sharp sense of humor and frequent and infectious laugh! She will be greatly missed by those that knew her. She planned her own celebration to be held at The Montclair, 1000 E Montclair, Springfield MO on March 10, 2018 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. All are welcome! Delighted by the words of Dennis Miller, she requested that her parting words be "I'm outta here!"  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Friends of the Library,  4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO 65810.  Online condolences may be made at www.gormanscharpf.com.