Lois Hawn Cunningham

Lois Hawn Cunningham was born on October 8, 1928. She passed peacefully on August 30, 2026, at the age of 97. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Harley and Bernice Hawn; husband, Duke Cunningham; son, David Liebert; sister, June Jones; and foster brother, Walter Hurtt.

She is survived by her daughters, Carol (Bob) Abram and Jean (Gary) Nichols, both of Indianapolis, along with her grandchildren, Paul (Anna), Sarah (Andrew), and Kelsey Nichols. She had six great grandchildren: Arie, Gaige, Marlowe, Elinor, Sawyer, and Elayne Nichols.

She was Auntie Lois to her sister June’s five children: Anita, Linda, Marilyn (deceased), Diana (deceased), and John Daniel and all of their children, Julie, Jeremy, Joseph, Tina, Tommy, Shannon, and Jessica.

Growing up, she spent her days running the fields and playing tea parties with many cousins and her sister. She had a special love for climbing trees, drawing pictures, and reading as many books as she could find. In her teens, she was her father’s right hand in the fields, leading the mules and driving a tractor at the age of 13. At age 18, she married Chaddie Duke Cunningham, also from Little York. They moved to Carmel, Indiana, and then settled into their little house in Wanamaker on Troy Avenue. She worked as a secretary at Western Electric until they had children, David Leibert, Carol Anne, and Jean Ellen.

Lois spent her life creating art, and her paintings grace walls throughout Indiana. She was a member of the Indiana Artists Club, Inc. and won the following awards in major state and regional juried shows: 2nd Place Honorable Mention at the Penwomen’s Show, Honorable Mention in the Indiana State Fair Professional Division, Merit Award from Indiana Heritage of Brown County, Merit Award at the Indiana Artists Club Membership Show, and awards from Hoosier Salon and Southeastern Regional. She studied with Rosemary Lawton Thomas, William Ashby, and Beverly Snodgrass. Her work included acrylic, oil, pastel, pen, ink, and pencil.

She also taught oils and portraits to adults at the Indianapolis Art League for many years and led the Arts and Crafts Program for 4-H in Franklin Township, Marion County. At Zion United Church of Christ, and later at Little York Christian Church, she used her chalk drawings to share Bible stories. She continued to paint until she was 90 years old and could no longer hold a brush.

Lois was a voracious reader and always had a book or two nearby. She passed this passion on to her children, who enjoyed sharing her books and engaging in lively discussions about the latest reads.

She was also an avid gardener, keeping a vegetable garden and growing perennials for most of her life. She was known for her State Fair award-winning Grape Pie. The grapes grew in her own back yard.

Lois taught Sunday School at both Zion United Church of Christ, and later at Little York Christian Church, where she taught kindergarten through fourth grade until she was 90 years old. She especially enjoyed teaching at VBS where she was a wonderful storyteller who brought Bible stories to life for children. Adult workers often joined her class to listen, as well.

Lois was the family’s storyteller, sharing tales and her wry sense of humor with anyone who would listen. She spent several years writing her stories which were typed up and put into a booklet.

Her life was one that was well lived. She took sorrow along with joy and moved forward with grace.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at First Christian Church in Scottsburg with funeral services beginning at 12:00 pm. She will be laid to rest at Little York Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Little York Christian Church.

Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.christensenfamilyfuneral.com.

Daniel and Betsy Christensen have been entrusted with the arrangements.