Betty L. (Barker) Cunningham, 82, passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Betty was born August 10, 1933 in Alto Township, Illinois. She graduated from Ashton High School in 1951. Betty worked at Woodward Governor for a time and then was a beautician and teacher at Rockford Beauty Academy where she eventually was in charge of running the school. After the beauty academy, administrative work took her to Naples, Florida. In Naples, she volunteered at "Fresh Start", a shelter for abused women. While in Florida, she made old fashioned teddy bears out of old fur coats.

After returning back to Rockford to eventually live at Luther Center, Betty joined the choir, made the "themed" monthly table decorations for the cafeteria and enjoyed buying thrift store jewelry to make her own style jewelry. She loved to dress in pretty clothes and jewelry. She very much enjoyed going to the Rockford Public Library "Friends of Library" to look for her beloved paperback mystery books.

Betty is survived by her brother, Robert Barker; grandchildren: Kari (Rick) Nelson, Vanessa Buchheit and Sarah Buchheit; great-grandson, Bryce and many cousins and nieces.

She is predeceased by her parents, Henry and Edna Barker and daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Buzzy Buchheit; sister-in-law, Margaret Barker. Special thanks to the nurses on the Bluejay Wing at River Bluff, Serenity Hospice and Home and special friends Sally, Jim and Dennis.

There will be a memorial graveside service at Union Cemetery in Steward, IL at 11:00 A.M., Friday, June 3, 2016. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Serenity Hospice and Home, 1658 S. IL Route 2, P.O. Box 462, Oregon, IL 61061.