Eulma Lee (Cunningham) Montgomery Retired minister, Eulma Lee �Yama� (Cunningham) Montgomery, 87, went home to be with the Lord shortly after midnight, September 20, 2011, at Rockport, TX. She was born October 3, 1923, at Crush, Texas, to Reverend Will and Lula Mae (Moseley) Cunningham, Sr., and her grandparents were Thomas A. & Annie (Taylor) Moseley and John W. and Clarissa Nora Jane (Edom) Cunningham.
Some of Eulma�s pre-teen years were spent in Spur, Texas, where her father was founder and pastor of the Assembly of God Church in Spur. After her father�s death, her mother moved the family back to South Texas. Because of asthma, at age 14 her mother let Eulma move to a higher climate in Fort Worth, Texas. She attended Shield of Faith Bible/High School, and lived with the Burke family. She and their daughter, Bonnie Burke, became like sisters. When Eulma later became ill, she moved home to Davilla, Texas, and graduated from San Gabriel High School. In 1941, she entered Southwestern Bible Institute (formerly Shield of Faith) in Waxahachie, Texas, graduating there in the spring of 1946. She later became the Dean of Women at Southwestern, now known as Southwestern Assembly of God University. She was an alumni member until her death.
For several years during the mid-40s, Eulma Lee and her younger sister and brother, Melbajo and Billy, traveled in the ministry as a trio, holding revivals and vacation Bible schools. Eulma would always preach while her siblings would provide music and help teach.
She was an ordained Assembly of God minister for many years, pastoring and evangelizing churches throughout Texas. Eulma and the late Tommie Ruth (Zarnow) Ball founded the first Assembly of God Church in San Marcos, Texas. They co-pastored there until Eulma married Merlon Montgomery on February 6, 1960. Merlon had three children, Merlon Jr., Merlene and Larry R., who became her own children.
Eulma Lee moved from Belton, Texas, to Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1984 where she resided for ten years. While there, she managed a senior retirement complex. From Muskogee, she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas to be near her two older sisters who were in bad health.
The Lord blessed Eulma with so many talents and gifts. Not only was she a wonderful musician, singer, and music teacher, she also wrote many beautiful gospel songs and poems. She loved children and was a gifted teacher.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; two brothers and their spouses, Lonnie Woodrow Cunningham (Ann), and Charles R. �Buster� Cunningham (Sammy); two sisters and their spouses, Willie Mazelle Ivey (Irvin), and Lois Evelyn Stafford (John); also a brother-in-law, Clarence C. Butler, and sister-in-law, Ollie Mae �Sandy� (Butler) Cunningham.
Eulma Lee is survived by her sister, Melbajo Ann (Cunningham) Butler, of Chouteau, Oklahoma, and brother, Will Cunningham, Jr., of Corpus Christi, Texas; numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, and many treasured friends.
Eulma wanted us to give special attention to her nephew, John C. White, who took good care of her in her last years as if she were his mother; and to her niece, Cherie Stafford Leighton, who cared and did so much for her as well. The family thanks them, too.
Service for Eulma Montgomery will be held at Assembly of God Church in , Spur, Texas, on Friday September 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Bro. Bob Wright will be officicating under the direction of Campbell Funeral Home of Spur. Interment will follow at the Spur Memorial Cemetery in Spur, Texas.
©Obituary courtesy of Campbell Funeral Home
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