Johanna Cunningham, daughter of John Williams and Leta Smythe (Williams) was born in Crane, Missouri on April 5, 1938, and died on February 5, 2023, in Springfield, Missouri.

Johanna was raised with a large extended family in Crane, Missouri.   She was the youngest of three children.  She was very active in the community of Crane and enjoyed the many friends she made there. She retained close friendships with several special women and men from her hometown throughout her life.  Her family was one of the founding members of the Crane Christian Church, and several generations of the family grew up close by. Johanna loved music and took piano lessons from a young age.  She played piano for her church and majored in Music at Drury College.  While in college, she met the love of her life, a dashing young fighter pilot, and married him. They, along with their two kids, were stationed at several locations along the East Coast.  She thrived in the military life and was actively involved in many activities supporting military families. She was honored to be elected President of the Officer's Wives Club by her peers.

Johanna was outgoing and loved to cook and entertain family and friends.  Her favorite hobby was playing bridge; at one point playing in as many as (4) different clubs! She often came home winning high on these games, cherishing the friendships she made along the way. She also enjoyed spending long hours caring for her beautiful gardens. Her home and yard were special and comforting places for her and everyone who visited. She never yearned to travel far away, other than to visit family.

The lights of her life were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She maintained close relationships with every one of them. She

always sent a beautiful birthday card to everyone and frequently communicated with us all.   She was a treasured jewel and had a way of making things just a little more beautiful for anyone's path she came across.  Her home was the family gathering place where cherished memories were made that will not be forgotten.

Johanna is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Lynn Berry; five grandchildren; James Lance Cunningham (w. Elizabeth Kozarits Cunningham), Sarah Johanna Cunningham (h. Andrew Nelsen), Charles Shelby Cunningham, Erica Nicole Berry and Jackson Daniel Berry; five great-grandchildren; Colby, Finley, Judy, Liam and Ethan; and daughter-in-law Juliet Cunningham.

Johanna's husband, James Larry Cunningham (Larry) and son, James Colby Cunningham (Colby), preceded her in death, as did her sister Flo Evalyn Westrip and brother James Frederick Williams (Jim).

Services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 East Seminole, Springfield, Missouri.   Johanna will be interred at Crane Community Cemetery.

If you would like to make a donation to the American Heart Association on behalf of Johanna, please go to: donateforJohanna