TREVA CUNNINGHAM One of America's Sweethearts has gone to be with her sisters and husband, no doubt to join them on a favorite Caribbean Cruise. Treva Leota Ullrich passed away January 19, still strong and stunning at 96, leaving us all with aspirations to be more like her. Truly sweet, gracious, thankful, classy and full of the extraordinary Southern charm she never lost, we cherish the memories of her sparkling blue eyes and endearing smile. She was indeed beautiful, inside and out. Treva was born in October, 1916, in Manchester City, Tennessee. She was the middle sister of three, all characteristic southern names: Alta, Treva and Oma. Her father farmed corn with his brother Dee, perhaps to make bootleg whiskey, until he was saved from accidentally driving off a cliff--a message from God, he felt, that made him convert, enter a seminary, and become a Methodist minister when Treva was 12. A strong, proud, loving and dignified man, he raised his girls to believe that, "The only hand you will ever need is at the bottom of your sleeve." Their inherited, fierce independence made them incredible role models for all us. Treva grew up traveling to church services along backwoods Tennessee roads in a horse and buggy, until her dad worked his way up to larger metro churches and an automobile. She grew up in Nashville, attended secretarial school, and took a job in Washington D.C., where she met a handsome man in an army uniform. Leon Ullrich swept her off her feet, married her, and after he returned from overseas took her to St Louis for a few years and then moved her to Albuquerque in the late 40's to be near his parents in Roswell. The Ullrich's had two children and built a red brick house near UNM where the kids could walk to elementary, junior high and high school. Leon worked his way up to full Colonel at Ft Bliss and Sandia Base and then retired. Treva and Leon traveled to Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Germany together. They threw great parties, loved to laugh and entertain friends, played a lot of cards, and entertained us all until his death in the early eighties. Treva soldiered on, becoming good at Bridge and great at being a grandmother, enjoying family, friends, wine, ribald toasts, and incredible physical health well into her nineties. Treva is survived by her son, Duane Ullrich; daughter, Debbie Johnson; granddaughter, Nica Marez; grandson, Destry Ullrich; great-grandson, Evan Marez; great-granddaughters, Alana and Kiera Friedman, and granddaughters, Leslie Johnson and Lauren Hegna. She has beloved nieces in Nashville, Lavon Knies, Barbara Wilkins, Teresa Kearns and Diane Hall, as well as several great nieces and a nephew. She was an Honored Lady of Ballut Abyad Shrine and a proud member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, and leaves behind dear and lifelong friends within. All of us who love Treva are grateful for the kindness and support she was given in the last years of her life from the great folks at Manzano Del Sol, SolAmor Hospice, super helper Elsie Davis, and the incredible team of angels with Sandy Green at Parkland Circle. Services will take place at French Mortuary, University Chapel on January 17 at 11:00 a.m. She and Leon will be reunited at the Santa Fe National Cemetery following the service at 2:15 p.m. Please visit our online guest book for Treva at www.RememberTheirStory.com. FRENCH 1111 University Blvd NE 505-843-6333
|
