Louise Cundieff

Louise Beene Cundieff, 92, of Cayuga, Texas entered her heavenly eternal home on December 6, 2016 at East Texas Medical Center in Athens, Texas after a short illness. Louise was born June 26, 1924 to Guy Houston and Nettie Wills Beene of Mexia, Texas. She was the eighth of nine children born to the Beene's. She had a wonderful childhood growing up with her siblings, Wendell, Ray, Rex, Clifton, Frances, G.H. (Bud), Ruth, and Hazel. They grew up on the family farm doing all the chores and pulling all the shenanigans children do. She and Ruth often told of their older brother, Bud, taking the criers out of their baby dolls and otherwise terrorizing them as brothers are apt to do! Louise attended Mexia Schools where she learned to sew in Home Economic class and used that talent often in her life. She met Esmond Cundieff, who was a good friend of her older brother, Bud, in High School. They dated and fell in love just before World War II broke out. Esmond joined the Navy. They communicated while he was away and dated when he came home on leave. They wanted to get married before Esmond shipped out, but Papa, Louise's dad, told them they needed to wait. If they really loved each other their love would stand the test of time. As Louise often told her children; that was a strong, lasting love. While Louise awaited Esmond's return, she worked as a secretary for J. I. Riddle Company. When Esmond came home and the war was over, Papa let her fly to Port Orchard, Washington, where they were married at a Baptist Church on Wednesday night after church, September 19, 1945. The newlyweds lived in base housing at Port Orchard until Esmond was discharged from the Navy. They moved back to Dallas for a short time and then moved to Mexia, where all their family lived. They lived in the Mexia area the rest of their married life except for a short 6 months when they lived in Waco. They were active members of Calvary Baptist Church in Mexia. They loved their Lord and their church and filled many roles in the church. They were the parents of 5 children, William Rodney, died at birth, Judy Louise, Ronald Esmond, Janet Ruth, and Richard Colby. They provided a wonderful Christian home and upbringing for their children. They moved from Mexia to Forest Glade, just outside Mexia in 1953. The family did everything together: attending Calvary Baptist Church activities, picking peas and shelling them in the back yard, making homemade ice-cream, raising a calf from time to time, planting and raising a garden, cleaning the house, going to Forest Glade School activities, swimming, camping, fishing and other fun family activities. With 4 children, pennies were often tight, so Louise made all the girls' clothes all through school, and a few of the boys' when they were little. Judy and Janet never minded. It allowed them to have more clothes and they got to help pick out patterns and material. They had wonderful times with all the cousins and relatives on both sides of the family. They all loved to sing together and often did so at school and church. They weren't a perfect family but they all loved each other and still do. Louise worked various jobs, church secretary, law secretary, furniture store bookkeeper, Mexia State School, home health nurses, Home Interiors Consultant, and director of the Senior Center in Mexia for several years. She loved doing crafts, having friends to her house, organizing activities, and teaching Sunday School and Bible Study from Nursery to Senior Adults. She loved all ages and they loved her. She influenced many young lives for the Lord as a teacher, camp counselor, and mentor. Her youth girls even got her to make the drag with them one night after visitation!! It was said by one of her granddaughter-in-laws that she didn't know anyone who was loved more than Granny! It was so true. She was called Granny by many people, both adults and children, most who were no relation! Louise lost Esmond, the love of her life, in April of 1989. She stayed in their home in Mexia until December of 1999 when she decided that caring for the yard was a little more than she could handle, even though she loved doing it! She bought the cutest mobile home that looked just like it had been made for her and moved to Muldoon, Texas, to live next to Ronnie and Mary Ann. She had a wonderful time living there and was an active member of Muldoon Baptist Church. In 2007, she moved next door to daughter Janet in Cayuga. She attended Cayuga Baptist Church. Louise was always healthy until her last illness. But even during that she was a wonderful minister for the Lord to everyone who passed through her room at the hospital; doctors, nurses, aides, cleaning personnel. She often asked the children why she was still here and why Jesus hadn't come for her. She was so tired and so ready to go to her Heavenly Home! They told her that she was still sharing God's love - even as she was leaving this world! Louise is survived by her children, Judy Nichols and husband Nick of Canyon Lake, Janet Cotton and husband Jerry of Cayuga, Rick Cundieff and wife Jackie of Llano, daughter-in-law Mary Ann Cundieff of Corpus Christi, Texas. Her grandchildren: Chris Nichols of San Antonio, Jason Nichols and wife Tausha of Canyon Lake, Trenton Nichols and wife Dana of Shiner, Keith Cundieff and wife Jennifer of Bartlett, Misty Bowden and husband Curt of Corpus Christi, Scott Cotton and wife Felicia of Cayuga, Brent Cotton of Cayuga, Aaron Cundieff and wife Ashlee of River Ridge, LA, Krista Klaproth and husband Kenly of Tow. Her great grandchildren: William Nichols, Megan Nichols, Colby Nichols, Austin Nichols, Nate Cundieff, Mason Cundieff, Austin Bowden and wife Kaitlyn, Brooklyn Bowden, Jason Bowden, Justice Cotton, Jaycee Cotton, Alexandra Cotton and Wyatt Cotton. Great great granddaughter: Laycee Bowden. There are many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Esmond Cundieff, sons, William Rodney and Ronald Esmond Cundieff, both parents, all siblings and their spouses, nieces and nephews. The service will be at 2:00 P.M., December 9, 2016, in the chapel at Blair- Stubbs Funeral Home in Mexia with burial in the Mexia Cemetery. Reverend Richard Cundieff, son, will officiate. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and the granddaughters will be honorary pallbearers. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home on December 8, 2016. Memorials can be made to Genesis Hospice in Athens, Texas, the American Cancer Society, or the American Heart Association. Her family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to all her friends and relatives who have prayed for her through this illness and have been such an important part of her life. You know she loved you and so do we, but more importantly God loves you!

Visitation Details

Thursday, December 8th, 2016 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home

Service Information

Friday, December 9th, 2016 2:00pm, Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home