Mary Beth Cunningham

January 13, 1936 - June 6, 2015

Mary Beth Cunningham, 79, went to be with her Lord Saturday, June 6, 2015 in Wichita, Kansas. She was born January 13, 1936, to Laverne Garold and Esta Frieda Spena in Quinter, Kansas. She had been a resident of Pratt, Kansas for the past 44 years. On July 5, 1970, she married Glen A. Cunningham in Quinter. He survives. She is survived by two sons, Terry Cunningham of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Todd Cunningham of Gardner, Kansas; three grandchildren, Lakin, Lane and Liberty Cunningham of Louisburg, Kansas; three brothers, Darryl (Frankie) Spena, Elton (Ginny) Spena, and Garold (Jan) Spena; sister, Loene (Dale) Hamlin; many loving nieces and nephews, and many students of music survive as well. She is preceded in death by her parents and a sister in law, Barbra Spena. Mary Beth was a 1954 graduate of Lecompton High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Kansas in 1958. She later received her master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. She was a vocal music and/or band instructor at the high school level for 38 years. She taught at Jennings, Colby and Quinter, Kansas. As well as teaching at Moberly Junior College in Moberly, Missouri. She was the assistant band director at Liberty Middle School in Pratt from 1975-1981. Then was the vocal music instructor at Pratt High School beginning in 1981, retiring in 1997. She directed many musicals, concerts, and contests featuring some very talented students. She always took pride in the number of music students and choirs receiving top ratings at the KSHAA State Music Festivals over the years. She also judged several music contests over the years for the KSHAA, 4H, and Academic Olympics. Judging her last music festival in the Spring of 2015. She gave private vocal and piano lessons for the past 56 years. Mary Beth was also the director of the Pratt Presbyterian Church Choir for 31 years from 1971-2002 where she was still a member. She was also listed in “Who’s Who of American Women.” At her request, cremation has taken place. A Memorial service will take place Sunday, July 12, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. at the Liberty Middle School Auditorium, 300 S. Jackson Street, Pratt, KS. A choir made of her former students, family, and friends will pay tribute to Mary Beth’s 56 years of music education by performing a selection of her favorite numbers. Memorials may be made to the Mary Beth Cunningham Music Scholarship in care of the mortuary.