Carol Cunningham

Carol Cunningham, 100, of New Philadelphia, died Monday, September 7, 2009 in Aiken, South Carolina. On April 24, 1909, she was born on her grandparents’ farm at Goshen, Ohio to the late Joseph Moore Romig and Clara (Dienst) Romig. Carol’s family resided on Sixth Street NW in New Philadelphia in a house that her father built.Carol graduated from Central High School at New Philadelphia then continued her education at the College of Wooster.Before her marriage to Attorney Arthur B. Cunningham, Carol worked at the Tuscarawas County Library as a children’s librarian, delighting many with her stories. Later, she served as the Executive Director of the Tuscarawas County Red Cross, a position she held for 27 years. During her tenure with Red Cross, Carol initiated first aid, home nursing, water safety and transportation programs as well as responding to emergencies and disasters, fund raising and serving as liaison between local families and the military services.She was a member of many clubs and organizations including, Sorosis, the Women’s Club, Union Hospital Auxiliary (Twig 6) and the Tuscarawas County Historical Society which honored her with the Heckewelder award. Carol was also a member of the First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia.Carol was noted for her entertaining, her lucid book reviews and wonderful cooking which she generously provided to any person or organization that asked.She is survived by three children, Arthur B. Cunningham, Joseph R. Cunningham and Mary Clare Sprott; nine grandchildren, Arthur B. Cunningham III, Frederica Dial, Joseph, James and Claire Cunningham, Carson, Justine and William Sprott and Kerry Kohl and three great grandchildren, Abigail, Amanda and Jack Dial.Carol was preceded in death by three sisters, Ruth M. Hurst, June Kerr and Anne Carey.The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A memorial service celebrating Carol’s life will follow at 11 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel with Rev. Hugh Berry officiating. Inurnment will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.