Lura Gertrude Riffe

A thousand bells were ringing as Lura Gertrude White Cunningham Riffe received her wings on Friday, May 25, 2018. A celebration of Gertrude’s life led by associate pastor Rick Pinner, will be held on Saturday June 9, 2018 at 10:30 AM, Open Range Cowboy Church in Whitney, Texas.

Gertrude was born December 4th, 1925 in Atoka, Oklahoma. She was the 6th of 10 children born to William Lee and Pearl Paregien White. Within the first year of her life, the Lee White family was asked to come to Texas and help other family members on a farm near Putnam, Texas. Without hesitation, Lee and Pearl packed their house hold belongings, loaded their six children into a covered wagon and made the trip to Putnam. In Putnam, Gertrude became a true Texas Lady and married the love of her life, Rollie Bain “Tood” Cunningham on September 7, 1946. During their 29 years of marriage, four much loved and adored children were born.

Gertrude was known for her delicious home cooking served at The Cunningham Café in Putnam. Many travelers and area residents became friends with the smiling, friendly and beautiful lady who owned the Café. They would always stop for a cup of coffee and slice of delicious chocolate or coconut pie, or a bowl of peach cobbler where everything was always served with Texas hospitality. The only person she was not happy to see at the Café was the health inspector! He seemed to always find fault with her can opener which led to an endless supply of new, used, and odd opening devices of every kind and description. Then as always, her forgiving nature would come forth in true Texas fashion as she would offer him a hamburger and slice of pie.

After the death of her second husband K.B. Riffe, Gertrude moved to Whitney, Texas to be close to her children. In Whitney, she enjoyed attending the Open Range Cowboy Church, listening to and singing gospel songs, and helping her neighbors by cooking meals and checking on them when she knew they were alone. She loved her family, enjoyed watching and playing along with TV game shows, and never turned down the opportunity to enjoy cornbread with soup or a large bowl of ice cream.

As Gertrude entered her heavenly home, she was greeted with the joyful singing of her loved ones who had prepared the way for her. And, once again, she is singing Precious Memories with her father and mother, husbands, sister; Ila May Varner, brothers; G.A. (Alton), Arvel, Olen, twins; Darrell and Doyle, Lynden, and Royce, and her beloved daughter and son; Wanda Mae Cunningham Harris, and Roger Neal Cunningham.

Gertrude is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Martha Jane Cunningham of Whitney, Texas, a son, Charlie Eugene Cunningham and Sylvia of Kingwood, Texas, and her brother, Carl White and Helen of Joshua, Texas. She also leaves five grandchildren; Gena Harris, Dusty Cunningham, Amber Tiwater, Meghan Chaney, and Kolby Cunningham, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, friends, two daughters-in-law and a son-in-law that will forever be grateful for the kindness and acceptance showed them by a gracious and precious lady from Putnam, Texas.

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on this day.