Dortha Marie Ashby Cunningham

Mrs. Dortha Marie Ashby Cunningham, of Mount Airy, MD, died peacefully July 17, 2019 in her home where she resided with her daughter for 12 years. The family is grateful to the Hospice of Frederick County Maryland for all of their support during her decline and the strong, emotional support of her sister, Evelyn.
Born July 16, 1925 in Morgantown, Monongalia Co., WV, she was a daughter of Truman Weaver and Mildred Lora Ashby. Dortha graduated from Elkins High School, Class of 1943 and received an Associate’s Degree, teaching certificate from the University of West Virginia.
On March 28, 1947, she married Harold Ralph Cunningham, at his family’s home in Elkins, WV. By 1949 Dot and her husband moved to Frederick County, Maryland were her husband began work for Frederick Iron and Steel and where she worked as a substitute teacher.
From 1954 onward Dot spent most of her life living in or near Mount Airy, Maryland, where she raised her four children. As a young wife and mother, Dortha was active as a Cub Scout/Boy Scout Den Leader, member of the Mount Airy Garden Club, and active member of the Calvary Methodist Church in Mt. Airy.
In 1968 she opened Dottie's Art Corner, a Hobby ceramic studio, at her kitchen table. Within two years she expanded her business to become one of the largest active ceramic studios in the tri-state area. She closed her studio after twenty years of sharing her love for the arts.
During her retirement she was an active member of the Mount Airy Senior Center Quilt Club, and the Monrovia Church of the Brethren quilt club.
She is survived by three children, Christopher Allen Cunningham, and wife, Anna, of Florida; Lora Susan Cunningham Irish, of Maryland, and her son Kent; Penny Ashby Cunningham Dinterman, of Colorado, and her children Brendan, Evan, Andrea, Samuel, and Courtney, as well as great-grandchildren James, Jackson and Bonnie; and two grandchildren Meghan and Brian Cunningham; and another great-granddaughter Emma Cunningham. She is also survived by surviving sister, Evelyn Ashby Samples of Marietta, GA.
She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Harold Ralph Cunningham; her son Harold Wilt Cunningham and her grandsons Christopher Gavin Cunningham and James Sheridan Dinterman and two sisters, Margaret Selah and Martha Ashby.
Services are private. Contributions in her name can go to Hospice or to your favorite charity.