Melinda Eve Brittain Cunningham

Melinda Eve Brittain Cunningham, age 59, died on October 3rd 2012, two years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Melinda was born January 4, 1953 to M. E. “Smokey” and Mary Lorena Brown Brittain in Littlefield, Texas. Melinda’s father died in a light airplane accident before she was born. She was raised by her mother and maternal grandparents, Thomas Sr. and Evelyn Brown, in Amarillo, Texas, who instilled confidence and independence. Melinda was a country girl at heart, and some of her favorite childhood memories were of weekends spent in the farm community of Sudan, Texas and camping trips with her mother in New Mexico. Melinda graduated from Tascosa High School in 1971, where she was the drum major for the band. For two years, she attended Abilene Christian University, then transferred to the Caruth School of Dental Hygiene, Baylor College of Dentistry, where she earned her bachelor degree in May 1975. Melinda began dating Mark, the love of her life, in 1974. They married on August 2, 1975, beginning a 37-year love story.

Melinda worked as a dental hygienist as Mark completed doctoral studies in clinical psychology at Oklahoma State University, moving while pregnant in 1977 to Mark’s internship at the naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. She resumed working as a dental hygienist in Groton, Connecticut where Mark was assigned at the U.S. Navy Submarine Base. After they returned to Abilene in 1981, Melinda owned a children’s sports photography business, which evolved into portrait photography. Her artistry in capturing the spontaneity of children and warmth of parent-child relationships created prized portraits for many Abilene families. While working and raising a young family, Melinda made time to express her compassion and giving spirit. Her home was warm and welcoming to her children’s friends. Both the weekly post-game pizza parties in the fall and the end-of-school hamburger parties by the pool that she hosted were beloved traditions. She was active in the Abilene Junior League, serving on many committees and then as president 1993-1994. Melinda went on to serve as executive director of the Abilene Boy’s and Girl’s Club 1994-1998. She ran for Taylor County Commissioner. She was a volunteer with committees and the Stephan Ministry at First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene. Melinda was in the Abilene Rotary Club, Leadership Abilene, and a sister-city delegation to Corinth, Greece. She and Mark moved to greater Dallas in 2002. There she was active in Denton County Democratic Women and flew to St. Louis to get-out-the-vote in the 2008 presidential election. In her career of the last decade, Melinda utilized her graphic design and videography skills in making sentencing mitigation documentaries for capital cases, compellingly illustrating the formative influences in the childhood of the respective defendant. No case where Melinda prepared a mitigation documentary resulted in a death sentence.

Melinda’s interests were wide-ranging and she was ever open to adventure. She and Mark traveled together in the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, North Africa, and Asia, as well as throughout the United States. An avid fly fisherman, Melinda fished rivers in New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, and Canada, and chartered a float-plane to fish a remote mountain lake in British Columbia.

Melinda was a direct descendant of an Alamo defender, Thomas J. Jackson, one of the Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers who rode through the Mexican lines to reinforce the Alamo after the siege had begun. Though in less historic contexts, Melinda embodied the same spirit of loyalty, courage, character, and self-sacrifice. No one doubted that Melinda would stand beside him, no matter what the cost. She was a dedicated daughter to her mother and Mark’s parents, an unwavering partner and adoring fan to Mark, a wise and loving mother to three stellar children, a devoted grandmother, and a loyal friend. She was a steadfast servant of God, exhibiting a quiet faith and compassion that infused her interactions with all who came in contact with her. Even during her most difficult days with cancer, her concern was for those about her.

Melinda was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Mark Douglas Cunningham; son Benjamin Brittain Cunningham, his wife Lucie, and their son Marcus Jay; son Clay Douglas Cunningham; daughter Dr. Cara Lee Cunningham Cockerill and her husband, Dr. Patrick A. N. Cockerill; extended family; and many dear friends. Much appreciation is expressed to Dr. Gary Tigges, internist, and to Dr. Kristi McIntyre and staff at Texas Oncology at Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas, for their expert care, support, and sensitivity during Melinda’s treatment. The family requests that memorials be made to: Boys and Girls Club of Abilene, P.O. Box 2013, Abilene, TX 79604.

Amarillo Globe-News, Oct. 7, 2012