Mamie Joyce Cunningham-Krkoska's Obituary
Mamie Joyce Cunningham-Krkoska, 92 (and one month shy of her celebrating 93rd birthday), departed this life on July 13, 2025. She suffered from Alzheimer’s and kidney disease for nearly a decade and has at last found rest.
Mamie was born on August 18, 1932, in Sulphur Bluff, Texas, to Eva and Dewey Cunningham. She was a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School, worked in the insurance industry for two decades, and later founded and ran her own home day care center. She was known by all for her sacrificial love and care both for her own children as well as others.
Mamie’s life was not easy. She grew up on a farm during the 1930s and 40s and experienced the strains of hard, physical labor. She had many stories to tell about picking cotton for hours in the hot Texas sun. These early years built both stamina and perseverance of character, yet they also impressed upon her a desire to create a life for her own children that provided better educational and career opportunities than she had experienced—and she worked tirelessly her entire adult life to realize that desire.
Mamie was full of love and, even in the most difficult of times, exhibited a gentle, caring, forgiving spirit; she also had quite a sense of humor and was known for what her family members call “Mamie-isms”—quick-witted responses and memorable sayings that only Mamie could conjure.
Among her hobbies, the most important was sewing—Mamie simply loved to sew and demonstrated significant skill in her many creations—from a wedding dress, to an octopus-shaped pillow for a school project for Cynthia whose sewing skills were and remain non-existent, to pant suits, vests, doll clothes, and closets full of flower-printed dresses made from material she selected from the Hancock fabric store—one of her all-time favorite places to shop.
Mamie was also an active member of the United Methodist Church (Irving, TX), Community Bible Church (Irving, TX), and Epiphany Episcopal Church (Richardson, TX)—the latter church body was intimately involved in the last decade of Mamie’s life, visiting and ministering to her on almost a weekly basis. She enjoyed singing songs and praying with her dear friends from Epiphany. The family is forever grateful for Epiphany’s ministry to Mamie.
Mamie is survived by her daughters Cynthia Nielsen and Sylvia Krkoska, her granddaughter Ash Nielsen, her son-in-law, Will Nielsen, and her mother-in-law, Carolyn Roderick. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Krkoska, to whom she was married for 39 years, her two brothers, Bob and Ben Cunningham, and her beloved sister Sybil Cunningham Coke.
A memorial service will be held at Restland in Dallas, TX at the Wildwood Chapel on Thursday, July 24, at 2 pm, followed by the committal service at 3 pm.
Mamie will be deeply missed by all who knew her—her gentleness, kindness, patience, perseverance, and self-giving love—testify to her character and legacy and will forever leave a mark on those who had the privilege of knowing her. Rest in peace, Mamie Joyce Cunningham Krkoska—we love you and will keep you in our hearts.
In remembrance of Mamie and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mamie’s name to Providence Place (San Antonio, TX), a licensed child placement agency that also assists survivors of complex trauma, expectant mothers, families with children under the age of three, and youth in foster care. All donations are tax deductible. EIN # 74-1168923.
Donations can also be made to Epiphany Episcopal Church (Richardson, TX) in Mamie’s name.
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