Texas Dryden
Funeral services for Texas Cunningham Dryden, 83, Branson, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Dryden died at 10:25 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2015, at her home.
She was born April 20, 1932, at Perryton, Texas, to Frank and Mavis Boren Cunningham. On March 17, 1951, she was married at Greenview, Texas, to Robert Lee “Bob” Dryden, who preceded her in death on January 16, 1998. They were the proud parents of three children: Texas Gail, Nancy Kay and Robert Lee, Jr. Texas and Bob were longtime residents of West Plains, Missouri, moving there in 1962 and were members of the First United Methodist Church. Texas retired from Walmart after a twenty-three year career. She was truly a groundbreaker, as she became only the third female assistant manager in the entire Walmart Corporation. Later in life, Texas became very interested in photography and genealogy and made contact and friends with many previously unknown and now not-so-distant relatives.
She is survived by her children, Texas Gail Raymond, husband, Lee, Chugiak, Alaska, Nancy Kay Dryden, Branson, Missouri and son, Robert Lee Dryden, Jr., wife, Laurie, Republic, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Stacey Balmer-Brown, husband, Curtis, Ames, Iowa; Kristi Buhler, husband, Steven, Eagle River, Alaska, Wesley Breeden, wife, Jackie, Broomfield, Colorado, Lindsey Breeden, Branson, Missouri, Aaron Raymond, Eagle River, Alaska, Kris Dryden, Bella Vista, Arkansas and Emily Dryden, Republic, Missouri; six great-grandchildren, Andrew, Chelsea, Jonathan, Jaxson, Kellen and Abigail Texas; and many other very special family members and friends.
Her husband, father and step-mother, Frank and Edna Teetot Cunningham, her mother and step-father, JC and Mavis Mason, and one brother, Richard Cunningham, precede her in death.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to Wayland Baptist University and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Alice Vandergriff
May 8, 2015 @ 9:11 pm
I just learned of Mrs. Dryden’s passing, and wanted you to know how sorry I am and that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Gail, I was one of your old classmates, Alice Newberry. We had several classes together “back then.”
Wanda Hunter
May 9, 2015 @ 10:54 am
My sympathy and prayers are for the family, my late husband Bob and I have lots of memories with the family. Texas will be greatly missed.
Mike Burgess
May 9, 2015 @ 3:58 pm
So sorry for your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Deana Gleghorn
May 10, 2015 @ 10:30 am
Texas was a very dear friend for many, many years and an e-mail buddy for many more.
We will certainly miss her.
Deana and Bob Gleghorn
Meryl
May 10, 2015 @ 5:12 pm
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of, Mrs. Dryden. With all her accomplishments, her love and joys, she was an amazing woman! I won’t pretend to know what you’re going through, but what has helped me deal with the loss of those I love is turning to the Scriptures, something that has been a real source of comfort. One Scripture that gives me hope is John 11:25, which says, ” Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.” I hope that this verse will also comfort you and, I hope you and your family can get through this difficult time. Please accept my condolences for the loss of your beloved mother, grandma and friend. Sincerely, Meryl
Don & Mary C. O'Banion
May 10, 2015 @ 8:27 pm
Kay, so sorry for the loss of your mother. You will be in our prayers.
We know she is in the arms of Jesus now.
Doncy Thompson
May 11, 2015 @ 11:12 am
Kay, so sorry to hear about Texas. WE shared lots of good times at Wal-Mart.May you find comfort in knowing you will see her again.God Bless.
Eileen Wilson
May 11, 2015 @ 2:43 pm
Oh Kay & Family
My heart just broke when you told me the news. Not only for the rootin’ tootin’ tornado of Texas that we lost, but for you also. Keep in mind that the greatest gift we could give our parents, is in allowing them to stay home and really enjoy their last year’s among family & grandbabies.
Blessings as you start this leg of the caregiver’s journey. You did a wonderful job. I’m here to help in any way, at any time.
She truly was the epitome of the example of how to work hard & love life. She influenced me greatly & kept me smiling with the jokes & pranks. I’ll miss her forever.
Love,
Eileen Larry & Molly Kate.
Barbara Alsup
May 11, 2015 @ 8:38 pm
Gail, Robert, and Kay,
I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Texas was a really great lady! I will have you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jodie McKinney
May 12, 2015 @ 8:08 pm
So sorry for your loss. I worked with Texas at the West Plains Walmart, she was one of a kind! She was a very nice lady. Prayers for your family.
Charlene (Henry) Murrell
May 13, 2015 @ 8:54 pm
Kay: So very, very sorry to hear the news. Texas was a fun lady to be around, and you were a super/duper daughter for living with her, and caring for her these past years. My mom left the Earth on Feb. 6, 2015. She is with our Lord, and does not ever have a bad day, her old lungs are renewed, and her heart is not fragile!! Your mom is there, now, also — not trouble, not strife, just never having a bad day !!! I miss my mom, very much, and you will experience this also — just go ahead and cry and then think of something that really made her laugh, and then you will laugh/smile and it will ease the moment. Sorry I was not at the service — be busy with scheduled training for the past ‘2’ days, just getting home this evening. Love you. Hang in there – when your heart aches, just think of something she always did that would make you laugh, even if it was ‘odd’ or think of something you did with her that really made her happy. Sending my thoughts, and sweet prayers for God’s comfort to you. -charlene-
Dianne Coats
May 14, 2015 @ 1:34 am
So very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bud & Marie Nale
May 14, 2015 @ 10:18 am
Kay, Gail, Robert & family,
I was going to send a card and I realized I might not have the right address.
Texas was a wonderful lady and there will never be another like her. She had so much to give to the world and she made it a better place.
Kay, you are so much like her. It was great that you were able to live with her and she could stay in her home. There comes a time that kids become the parent. I went though this and I’m thankful I could be there for my parents. You look back a see the joys. It’s hard now but time heals. God is with you.
We are thankful that we had the privilege of having you as neighbors and it was great seeing Benny and you grow up. There are a lot of good memories.
Remember, we are there for you if there is anything we can co.
We love you each of you.
Robbie Ross
May 14, 2015 @ 3:37 pm
Robert, Kay & Gail
I am very sorry for your loss. Although it’s been MANY years since I last saw her, Texas was always so good to me. I have nothing but wonderful memories of her.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deepest regards,
Rob Ross
Robert Dryden
May 15, 2015 @ 8:38 pm
Thank you everyone for your kind words. Mom was a super lady and we will miss her tremendously.
Benny Nale
May 23, 2015 @ 9:56 am
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. I have many fond memories of Texas as I was growing up in West Plains, from Dryden’s Shoe Box to walking up the alley to your house one street over from ours. Texas was a wonderful person with strong character. I never even thought of her as a pioneer as a woman manager at Walmart when I was a kid, but looking back on it, I realize she was exactly that, and a positive one, as well. My prayers go out to all of you. Benny Nale
Kay Dryden
May 31, 2015 @ 8:39 am
I can’t believe I am just now reading this….but your comments over-whelm me! We three KNEW we had an amazing mother…but to have other people acknowledge that is the greatest thing! Our mom was PRECIOUS! She was the most caring, loving, generous woman I have ever known, and I have lost my best friend! Yes, I will see her, and my dad, again, and that is comforting. But right now I just miss her! Thank you all for loving her. That’s one of the greatest blessings ever…I never have to question if she knew she was loved. Thank you all! Kay