Events
Georgia Lee Cunningham peacefully passed away the evening of January 3, 2025, after spending the day in the presence of family and loved ones.
Georgia was born September 19, 1949, daughter of Curtie Judd and William “Bill” Donald Cunningham. She passed away after a rapid decline of health at the Rocky Mountain Care Center on the evening of January 3, 2025. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harry and Hazel Judd, her parents Curtie Judd and William Cunningham, and her stepfather Wayne Riggs and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by her brother Jack Riggs (April), her loving nieces and nephews, Jeremy, Andrea, Jason, Kristy, Felicia, and Danay along with her loving cousins.
She never considered herself a socialite or popular but there was never a more compassionate and kinder person in our realm. She loved life and willingly served others and exhibited compassionate care for all especially the low of heart, downtrodden or of humble circumstance. She loved animals and was endearing in her treatment of them, always feeding the birds, squirrels, feral cats, and all creatures. She had a fondest for nature’s beauties. A love of flowers garnered from her mentor, Ida Hazel Hatch Judd. She grew the loveliest roses but had a special kinship to yellow peonies, fragrant lilacs and colorful pedals of all sizes and shapes. The last few years her heart was stolen by the love of her life, Abbey, her beloved dog. They were constant companions and enamored with each other. Yes, an inseparable pair.
During her early years as a child, she lived with her grandparents, Harry and Hazel Judd. They had a great influence upon her, and I learned much about them from our discussions during the last decade after the passing of her mother as we spent a lot of time together and reminiscing was one the highlights. In recent years and especially during her declining health, she yearned to see them again. During the last days, I’m sure the veil was thin, and she enjoyed their companionship.
She loved those summer days in Panguitch when the clan would gather, spending time with Gramma and Grampa, aunts, uncles and relishing with cousins. A unique time filled with horse races, rodeos, parades, nightly gatherings and events filled with laughter and interaction. She never forgot those childhood friends and even after leaving home venturing off to college at CSU and culminating a graduate of USU, she developed many friendships and acquaintances. She was more of a socialite than she would admit. After graduating, she went to work for the LDS Church. She was a dedicated loyal employee and gained more friendships as she loved her work and the interactions with those who shared her deepest beliefs and shared faith in the strong foundation throughout her life. She was a loving disciple of the Savior and shared with others her profound dedication to His gospel. You could always count on her to express her experiences related to those days and her love for her friend, Jesus Christ.
She loved to talk, gab, chat, visit and tell stories. She interacted with neighbors, friends and cherished family visits. She introduced me to all of her neighbors and took a special interest in their lives. If they had concerns, problems or just needed a little help, I’d find myself going with her to serve. Restoring a rose garden for Socorro, replacing tub fixtures for dear ole Henry, assisting Juan and his family, or just caring for existing neighborly needs. A true friend to many. She was happy and content with her life even through the challenging years as the caregiver for her mother. If you experienced her loyalty, I guarantee it was to be forever. She sacrificed much through those caregiving years and endured many challenges but willingly served as a faithful companion for her mother. It was difficult for her, but she persevered through physical challenges of her own to serve and meet her mother’s needs who was wheelchair bound for several years. If you knew anything about my aunts that we loved they were tough, somewhat demanding and like all of us a little stubborn.
After her mom passed away Georgia being a goal-oriented person modified her life. She’d spent so much energy and time caring for others. She accepted the challenges offered and moved forward with just a little more focus on herself. She was plagued with some fears and insecurities but opened somewhat and looked at life through a modified lens. Her father whom she had maintained contact with throughout her life passed away and left her a small inheritance that she wanted to use around her home. We upgraded windows, removed trees and shrubs, did electrical work, laid new flooring, re-landscaped, fenced, and installed sprinklers. It was a challenge for her within her home as she relished furnishings yet wanting to hold onto everything. With the help of Pat and others she donated much to the DI, gave away things or just removed excess from her home. She’d became more active, lost weight and to an extent opened up her life more but was always cautious and somewhat apprehensive of the world around her.
She started again to garden growing fruits and vegetables, giving most of it away. She struggled physically as we all do due to aging but hated to see anyone do things like mowing lawns that she felt she could do just taking a little longer to accomplish the work.
She loved being a teacher in the Relief Society and her Savior. She loved the fact that she acquired a motorcycle license. She loved to continue growing rhubarb plants from her grandmother’s stock. She loved the new bright shining chandelier in her bedroom. She loved chicken fingers from Crown Burger or Hook and Ladder and doughnuts from Banbury Cross. She loved coloration in the world. She disliked mice, spiders, winter, unpatriotic politicians, and the downward spiral of the world. She had a gift of discernment and could point out imperfections but never wanted to be hurtful or unkind so most of it went unspoken.
Above all, in the latter stages of life, she yearned for the reunion with loved ones and hoped to return to relish in their lives again. She accomplished much and attained her reward although she would profess that she thought she’d fallen short but I for one know she can lay hold of the promised glory for the obedient and faithful. I would say save me a seat but she’d always in her humble way say I won’t be there. Her only request was to have engraved on her marker, “Sorry, I missed you, I’ve gone home,” and home she now has gone. Georgia will be missed by many for a while, but she will always be loved and hold a place in our hearts.
A viewing will be held from 6:30-7:30 PM Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. A second viewing will be held on Friday , January 17, 2025 at the Panguitch First Ward, 550 South 100 West in Panguitch, Utah prior to graveside servcies at 2:30PM.
Interment will take place in the Panguitch City Cemetery.
Guestbook/Condolences
When I first started my employment with the Church, it was in the Church Magazines accounting department. Georgia became a dear friend from that original team of employees. And yes, Georgia was more of a “socialite” than she would admit, even back then. It was her unconditional love, humility, compassion and warmth that drew you to her. I’ll forever be grateful to have had her in my life. True to her character, in the end she likely decided there were other things she could be doing; family and friends to visit with, help to give, and those to bless with her caring disposition. I’m happy for her though sad for her family, that she has finally gone to her permanent home. May you feel her presence in your lives. May you hold on to that memory of her wonderful hugs. May you have the assurance that her mission in this life has been accomplished. She leaves behind a legacy of love.
I have know Georgia since our days as roommates at CSU and USU. She was so fun to be with and always had something to say to make us laugh. I enjoyed being a friend and learning from her. We were so young and silly back then but became friends for life. She lived in my grandma and grandpa 's house in Sandy when the family moved here and we got to see each other more. I talked to her and visited when I could. Theses last few years after her Mom died were hard and she was lonely. I was so uplifted by the time I spent with her. She always made you feel better. I know she was close to her family. Many times when I was there she would receive a call from someone in family and I would wait while she talked with them. Georgia was such a wonderful woman and she will be missed.
The loss of Georgia Lee Cunningham leaves a hole in our family that will never be filled. I'm sending my love and support to everyone as we navigate this difficult time together.