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Patricia Bissonnet (Bissonnet)
Obituary for our dear friend Suzie. I believe her daughter is waiting to do a memorial service until Suzie's partner, Jim, is well enough to attend.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mildred Sue May Cunningham, lovingly known as Suzie. Suzie passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, the 29th of June 2025, in Austin. She was 78 years of age.
Suzie was born in Houston, to Mildred F. Clough May and Holmes Alfred May. Suzie’s life was filled with warmth, dedication, and a deep affection for those fortunate enough to know her. She built her life upon a foundation of caring and unwavering support for her loved ones, friends, and former students.
Suzie attended Garden Oaks Elementary, Frank M. Black Jr. High, and graduated from Waltrip High School. During high school, she competed in Speech and debate, was editor of the Waltrip Tribune, President of Quill and Scroll, and Who's Who in Journalism, and Drill Centurion in the Imperial Guard. She was also on the original board of directors for the Imperial Guard Alumnae. Suzie graduated from Southwestern College and pledged Delta Zeta Sorority while attending college. She earned her master's degree from Texas Southern University.
Suzie became a teacher in Houston Independent School District (H.I.S.D.) as a Reading Specialist and taught at Lanier Jr. High in Houston. She made a difference in many lives as a reading teacher, while writing curriculum standards for H.I.S.D. during her teaching career. Suzie was President of Delta Kappa Gamma, which promotes professional and personal growth of women educators. Education was her focus in life.
Suzie married her high school sweetheart, William Richard Cunningham who later passed in 1977 at the early age of 30.
Suzie is survived by her partner, James “Jim” Dolezal; daughter, Pamela Katherine Cunningham Sutton, and son-in-law Neal Sutton. Survivors also include her sister-in-law, Carol May; nieces, April May Meneley, and Melody May; nephew, Philip May; Jim’s daughter, Jessica Dolezal Campbell and her husband Eric; and grandchildren, Emerson, and Dylan.
Suzie celebrates her homecoming with her parents, Mildred and Holmes, husband Richard, brother Harry May, and nephew Eric May.
After retirement, Suzie moved to La Grange, serving several years on the Fayette County Electric Co-Op Scholarship Committee and was a member of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Plum, Texas.
Suzie was an organizer for the Waltrip High School reunions for over sixty years. A classmate said, "She was truly a golden thread that wove us together year after year". Another classmate said, "She was the spirit of Waltrip and a friend to all who knew her". Suzie loved to talk with family and friends in person and on the telephone and cherished those relationships. She never met a stranger. She always closed her conversations with, "Take really good care of yourself".
Her family and the many friends across the United States from high school and college will miss her caring soul.
More specific service details will be published at a later date.
In lieu of customary remembrances, thank a teacher.
George H. Lewis Funeral home.
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