Shirley Ann Cunningham

Shirley Ann Cunningham, 82 of Globe, Arizona passed Sunday, March 23, 2014.  She was born in Globe, Arizona, daughter of Clara A. (Blum) and J. Dee Matlock.  She is survived by her four children, Cari A. Cunningham (Ted Moulin) of Tucson, Earl C. "Buff" Cunningham III of Saford, ACayci L. Vuksonovich (Louis) and Scott D. Cunningham of Globe and nine grandchildren, Kendle Blake (Kyle), Brandon Leyva, Taylor Gutierrez (Casey), E.C.Cunningham IV, Makenzie Vuksanovich, Brianne, Sam (Ashley) and Deidra Cunningham and Simone Sheppard (Brent) and four Great-grandchildren.   She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Earl C. Cunningham Jr.Shirley graduated from Globe High School in 1948 at the age of 16 and from the University of Arizona in 1951.  While at the University of Arizona she met returning World War II veteran Earl C. Cunningham Jr. a Yuma farm boy.   They married in Globe on December 22, 1950.  She and Earl bought State Supply Company, a candy, tobacco, and restaurant wholesale supply company in 1956 abd sold it in 1980 to focus their full attention on Matlock Gas and Equipment Company, for which thiey assumed full responsibility in 1970 after the death of J. Dee Matlock.  They operated the family owned business together until Earl's death.  During their management of Matlock Gas, they expanded the business to include Safford, Rye and Lordsburg, New Mexico.  Currently there are 20 employees in the four locations.For over 50 years, Shirley was a member of the White Mountain Chapter  #8 Order of thoe Eastern Star and the Ladies Oriental Shriine of northern America Sphinx Court #65.  She and Earl were also members of the National Candy Wholesaleers Association, The Arizona Propane Gas Association and the National Propane Gas Association.  In 2002were awarded the prestigious Pioneer Award in the Arizona Propane Gas Association for their 50 years of contributions to the propane industry.Shirley was devoted to her family.  She was an avid supporter of many causes-charitable, reliugilous and political- and was an active and outspoken conservative Republican.  She loved the oceran, especially at Ocean Beach, the Sacramento Jazz Festival and her very special dogs and cats.