Washington, Utah – Josephine Ann Evans Cunningham passed away June 25, 2020 at the age of 96. She was born in Canton, Stark County, Ohio on October 18, 1923 to Lucile Exline Evans and James Glen Evans.  She is preceded in death by her parents and her older brother, Richard Glen Evans. Her younger brother, James Clarence Evans is a resident of Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Jo grew up in a rural area near Canton where she attended Middlebranch High School, where she was an outstanding student, a member of the Glee Club, the School Band and the Debate Team.

Upon receiving a scholarship, she spent her freshman year at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. While there she was selected to become the first female announcer for the college radio station which was an affiliate of KDKA, a Pittsburgh station.  Other activities included writing for the college publication, taking part in drama, and being selected as Posture Queen of the year.

World War II broke out during her freshman year in college and changed the course of her life as it did so many others. Jo married her beloved John "Jack" James Cunningham October 23, 1942 in a civil ceremony conducted by her Great Uncle John Exline.

While Jack was serving in the Air Force, Jo attended two more years of college; first at University of Southern California and then at Kent State University in Ohio. Jo later accompanied him to Marana Air Base in Arizona and served as Assistant Red Cross Director on the Base. Subsequently she served as Hospital Red Cross Director at Amarillo Air Base, Texas. After eight years of service they left the Air Force and eventually moved to Southern California, settling in El Segundo.

After becoming members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were sealed as a family in the Los Angles Temple. They later moved to Northern California and then to the Provo, Utah area.

While in Provo, Jo was able to complete her university studies and graduated with a Masters in Audiology and Speech Therapy, Summa Cum Laude. She also lobbied the Utah State Legislature tirelessly for improvements in Utah's Special Education. This effort eventually resulted in classroom education for the neglected portion of children. For her efforts she later received the Utah ARC's 1993 Don Quixote award for advancing special education in the state. Her following professional career consisted of many years in the Provo School District as a special education teacher.

John and Jo then retired to Washington City in Southern Utah.

As a member of the Church, she has served in many capacities such as Stake Missionary, Primary President, teacher in Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society and most important to her, serving as a Family History Consultant.  She has devoted the last twenty years of her life searching out past family members and recording her research for her posterity. She was a beloved member of her ward, provided both valued advice to all about searching for their ancestors and teaching them to use the tools to do it for themselves. Her reputation was enhanced by being a major source of fudge for any sweet tooth, celebrating neighborhood birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays with her specialty. She always had a batch in the refrigerator to give to those she deemed worthy, which seemed to be everyone.

Her husband, John, passed away December 12, 2009. Surviving family members and their spouses include: Ann Cunningham Ribera (John);  John Robert Cunningham (Gail); David Glen Cunningham (Kristine); Mary Jo Cunningham Bakove (Brad);  Bruce Alan Cunningham (Teresa); Joseph Evan Cunningham (Karen), Daniel Sutton Cunningham (Lori) and Andrew James Cunningham.  Her posterity includes twenty-two grandchildren, fifty-six great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the personnel from Encompass Hospice for their loving care and also ask that in lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 3, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Washington Fields Stake Center, 3167 East 1140 South, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Friday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Washington City Cemetery.