Mary Fitzhugh (Ramey) Cunningham. 1905-2010: The last of my Mother's Friends

 

I traded a piano given to me by an Aunt for Daddy's '69 Ford Galaxy and Mother gave the piano to the church which put it in the Parish Hall.  Years later, it burned down completely except for the piano which stood untanished!

*****************

She reminded me of Mrs. debutts who was Robert E. Lee's granddaughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter debutts came to my Father's funeral and that made me happier than if all the world's leaders had come.  Mrs. deButts also gave me a copy of Lee & His Generals.
*"When I was pregnant with Ellen & Billy was in the army, I went to Jane Sprague & Hunter deButts' wedding. They cut the cake with General Lee's sword. (From My Sister)

 
*********************

Mary Fitzhugh Ramey Cunningham  died peacefully on October 14, 2010. Born January 7, 1905, she was the daughter of Jane Carter Mason and John Thomas Ramey, and the wife of John Hargrave Cunningham who predeceased her, as did her sister Eliza Beverley Ramey Gatewood and her brother John Jason Ramey.

Her interests were many, notably flowers and gardening. She was honored by the Garden Club of Virginia and the Garden Club of America. She was a member of The Piedmont Garden Club and The Fauquier Loudoun Garden Club.

Mary was a horse enthusiast, loving to ride on the farm with her father, going into Marshall driving cattle, and going on camping trips on horseback. She was a regular at all steeplechase races and an avid follower of the Triple Crown races.

The history of Marshall was a lifetime interest. She rescued her home, "Molly's Folly", circa late 1700's, from the path of Route 66. Her favorite past time was reading and she loved sharing books. Mary was the matriarch of her family, with Molly's Folly being the place all her family members gathered.

Mary is survived by her first cousin, Jane Carter Green Holt, her nieces, Jane Gatewood Roszel, Cay Ramey Weimer, and her nephew John Mason Ramey, Jr. Her niece Mary Edwin Gatewood Cann died in 2008. She is also survived by eight great nieces and nephews and eleven great-great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Monday Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Delaplane, Va. Interment Marshall Cemetery, Marshall, Va.

Contributions may be made to the Emmanuel Episcopal Church; The Marshall Rescue Squad or to The Marshall Fire Dept.

Arrangements are being handled by Royston Funeral Home, Inc. Middleburg.