Azile Cunningham Larned

Billie Azile (Cunningham) Larned, 81, of Haskell, Texas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 24, 2025 at Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene, Texas. She was a Baptist.

Azile was born on July 3, 1943 to William Chester Cunningham and Juanita Mae (Jacobs) Cunningham. She was born at home in McLean, Texas, and delivered by her Granny Cunningham, who was a nurse, and a doctor who came to the house. She barely weighed 5 lbs so they kept the oven door open to keep her warm (even though it was the 3rd of July).

Azile graduated from Haskell High School in 1962. She worked in her family's grocery store and later, for Gholson's Grocery. Azile managed Double "A" Drive In for 52 years for her brother, Donald, until she retired in May 2024. Azile married David Larned on February 7, 1975. They shared 41 years together.

Throughout her adult life, Azile had many hobbies, including crochet, crafts, reading, watching her shows (especially Judge Judy), cooking, and baking. She also loved to proofread books and other pieces of writing. She once sent a (unsolicited) list of grammatical and spelling corrections to a family friend for a book they had authored. She did such a good job finding mistakes in the published literature that she was tasked with editing the friend's subsequent books.

The family historian, Azile kept meticulous notes, calendars, and many spiral notebooks full of the family's milestones, adventures, and memories. If you went on a trip or there was an event, big or small, you could count on providing a detailed account for her documentation. If you weren't careful, you would even end up being responsible for documenting family vacations that she did not travel on. Azile was a vault of information and the person who always remembered the who, what, or when that the rest of us couldn't. Her knowledge will certainly be missed.

One of Azile's favorite things was to spoil her nieces and nephews. She was especially proud of the title of "Boo Boo" that the younger great-nephews and great-niece called her. She might have had to install locks up high on doors and hide things they didn't need, but Boo Boo let them play, make messes, and have adventures.

Azile is survived by her brother, Donald Cunningham and his wife, Denia, and sister, Maxine Judd, of Haskell. She is survived by her nephews Eddie Del Valle of Haskell, Texas; Keith Del Valle and wife Jane of Key West, Florida; Bruce Del Valle and wife Andrea of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania; Jerry Don Walker of Fort Stockton, Texas; Tim Judd and wife Shelley of Haskell; and Mathew Cunningham and wife Tammy of Haskell. She is also survived by nieces, Vickie (Judd) Bullard and husband, Kenny of Haskell; Cathey (Judd) Isbell and husband, Gary, of Haskell; and Amy (Cunningham) Martin and husband, Randall, of Haskell. She is survived by great nephews and nieces: Jessica, Kayla, Kris, Kylin, Casey, Paula, Chelsea, Kristy, Ashley, Sawyer, Dakota, Nathan, Will, Spencer, Bekah, Abigail, Brayson, James, Ben, as well as, many other cousins and great-great nephews and nieces.

She is preceded in death by her husband, David Larned; parents Chester and Juanita Cunningham; sister, Charlene Del Valle; brother in law Carl (Dale) Del Valle; a niece, Leisha (Del Valle) Walker; her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 27, at Willow Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home and Rev. Dave Harrison officiating, and Mike New reading the Obituary. A visitation is planned for Sunday, January 26, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home located at 304 North 2nd Street, Haskell, Texas.

If desired, memorials can be given in Azile's name to Haskell Volunteer Fire Department, 302 North 1st Street, Haskell, Texas 79521, Children's Miracle Network, 1900 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601, or Hendrick Medical Center Foundation (Hendrick Hospice Care) 1900 Pine St., Abilene, Texas, 79601.

Online condolences can be shared with Azile's family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.