Phyllis Cunningham

PHYLLIS CUNNINGHAM 91, of Roseburg, Oregon passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2012 in a local hospital. She was born September 25, 1920 in Monte Vista, Colorado to Carl and Marjorie Gilbreath. The Gilbreath family moved from Colorado to Oregon when Phyllis was a young girl. Phyllis attended one room schools in Douglas County and graduated from Roseburg High School in 1938. Mrs. Cunningham was longtime sheep rancher with her husband Don; worked as a telephone operator in Roseburg in the early 40's and was a homemaker. She was a member of the Douglas County Livestock Association, Douglas County Lamb Show Barbeque, Glide Fire Association, North Umpqua Garden Club, the Tuesday Do Nothing Club and the one room school group. Phyllis received the Glide Fire Association Years of Service Award, Livestock Association Years of Service Award, past nominee of the Glide Citizen of the Year and a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Roseburg. She loved to fish at Diamond Lake and in the river; was an avid Duck fan who rarely missed a game on television or the radio and spent countless hours in her garden and yard. Survivors include her daughters Jill Schermerhorn and her husband Wayne, Joy Adams and Lori Chappel and her husband Morrie all of Roseburg, Oregon; 10 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends Irene Barrett of Roseburg, Oregon, Verna Erickson of Roseburg, Oregon and a special circle of friends at the Glide Senior Center. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 36 years Don in 1978; sisters Jane Bowker Adams and Betty Gilbreath and brother Bill Gilbreath. At Mom's request, a private family and close friend's graveside service will be held Friday, April 27, 2012 at 1:00 pm within the grounds of Roseburg Memorial Gardens. Reverend Dwayne Brown of the First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Contributions may be made in Phyllis Cunningham's memory to the Glide Fire Dept. The family would like to extend a special thank you to John Lidsey, hair stylists and Carl and Nancy McBeth.