Neva Dunkle

Cunningham

Neva Dunkle Cunningham of Colonial Beach, Virginia, peacefully passed away on November 10th surrounded by members of her family. She was born in Deer Run, West Virginia, on August 11th, 1924 to Wade Hampton and Lottie Eye Dunkle, both of Deer Run.

She attended elementary school in Deer Run, where her brother, Paul Dunkle, was her teacher. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1941, where she excelled in music and was recognized by the school for her outstanding performance.

After graduating from high school, Neva moved to Washington D.C. to live with her sister Lynn, and graduated from Strayer Business School with a degree in accounting. While in Washington,

she met fellow West Virginian, Howard S. Cunningham of Upper Tract. They married on January 5, 1944 in Washington D.C. After a few years in Washington, they moved first to Harrisonburg, Virginia and subsequently to Oakton, Virginia, where they lived and raised their family for the next twenty years.

After a brief time working for the US Government in Washington DC, Neva began a lengthy career working in the accounting field for several different CPA firms in the Northern Virginia area.

Upon retirement, she and her husband relocated to Colonial Beach, Virginia, where they had spent summer vacations with their children for over 30 years. They built a home on Harbor View Circle in Oak Grove, and enjoyed many happy years of boating, fishing, crabbing, shark-tooth hunting— everything that life in the Northern Neck had to offer. Neva also worked part-time as a proof-reader for the Westmoreland County News in Montross, Virginia. She was a voracious reader, a dedicated daily walker, and a gardener. She knew everyone and was everyone’s friend. Years after the death of her husband, Neva moved to the Westmoreland Health and Rehabilitation Center (WHRC) n Colonial Beach, where she lived until her death at the age of 102.

Neva is survived by her two sons, H. Steven Cunningham (Barbara) of Warsaw, Virginia, and H. Douglas Cunningham of Arlington, Virginia. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Jane Ann Wooster, and her many nieces, nephews, and their extended families. She was

predeceased by her husband Howard, sisters Chloe Keister and Lynn Wood, and brother Paul Dunkle.

The family wishes to extend its gratitude and appreciation to the staff of the WHRC for the care and support given to Neva during her 12 years of residency.