The Homegoing of Mary Cunningham

"First and foremost, giving an honor to God, who has always been the head of my life. To my cherished loved ones, I say, I love you and stay with God until we meet again."

Mary was born October 6, 1938, in the Huttonville community of Eufaula, Oklahoma to Charles D. and Laura May (McJunkins) Wells; and from this union was the second of ten children. She was baptized at New Hope Huttonville Baptist Church, under the pastorage of Rev. Dan Harris in 1946; this would only be the beginning of a long and faithful walk with God. She attended grade school- Washington Junior School in Huttonville and high school- Booker T. Washington in Eufaula, OK. For a brief time, she attended Manual Tech Training (TTC) high school of Muskogee, OK. During this time, she united with Dean Chapel Baptist church under Rev. W.M. Hall.

On August 22nd, 1954, she was married to Elmer D. Cunningham by Rev. Dan Harper in Huttonville and moved to Kansas City, Kansas in November of that same year. Eight children were born to their union; one daughter and seven sons, three of whom preceded her in death: Kenneth, Anthony, and Baby Boy.

She was a faithful and devoted member of the Oak Ridge Baptist Church before moving back to Eufaula. Upon, her return to Huttonville Baptist, she would serve years as the Sunday school superintendent and during this time the school grew from 9 to 30 in regular attendance. Faithful and devoted to the church and holding various offices, her favorite love was the youth and singing, where she had the opportunity to nurture young voices and encourage their walk with God. She received a certificate of completion from IBM Electronic Institute of Missouri in Key Punch. She earned her associate degree in clinical dietary from Penn Valley, CC of Missouri, where she also earned national certification in institutional cooking and dietary management. She worked mostly in the food industry all her life. She resigned from The Children's Place in Kansas City, MO, after serving as food service director for seven years. While attending Penn Valley, she earned induction in the academic sorority, Phi Theta Kappa. She is a member and past worthy matron of Star of Bethlehem Chapter #59, OES and a member and past Most Ancient Matron of Saint James Court #23 Heroines of Jericho. She is past Grand Historian, past Grand Chaplain, past Grand Coordinator, and past Grand Chairman of Budget and Accounts of the Most Ancient Brand Court, Heroines of Jericho, Prince Hall affiliation of Kansas and its jurisdiction, as well as honorary past State President of Christian Women United, Kansas. Upon returning to Eufaula, she reunited with the New Hope Huttonville Baptist
Church, where she served as church clerk. She was also the Vice President of the Colate District (Congress) singing convention served. She served as President of Gardenia Arts, the National Club of Federated Colored Women, and as chairperson of the Southeast Regional. She worked briefly at Eufaula Manor and Noah's Ark Daycare where she ended her career as a social worker/caretaker for the youth of the  Eufaula Emergency Youth Shelter.

Having lived a full and blessed life, she leaves behind a host of loved ones to cherish her memory: daughter, Wanda Bankston of Eufaula, OK; Sons, Elmer (Jolene) Cunningham of Lawrence, KS, Steven Cunningham of Eufaula, OK and Jerome Cunningham of Kansas City, KS; Her brothers: Walter (Jean) Kizzy, Eufaula, OK, Charles Wells, Oklahoma City, OK, Wallace (Sharon) Finks, CA and sister, Pearl Samuels, Oklahoma City, OK. She also leaves behind a host of grandchildren, great- grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, and friends.

Waiting for her with open arms, smiles and laughs are those that have preceded her in death: Elmer D Cunningham, husband; sisters: Mineola Ann Finks (Ann), Laura Mae Dawes (Tiny) and Katherine (Wells) Jameson (Sister Baby); baby brother, Arthur Lee Wells; two infant brothers and one very special cousin and play brother, F.L. Davis. Her children and paternal grandparents, Luke, and Catherine Wells, as well as maternal
grandparents, W.J. and Mary McJunkins, precedes her in death.

Do not let this homecoming be one of sadness and regretful tears, but one of happiness, for she is dancing and praising with no heaviness or pain. Keep in mind Isaiah 40:28-31: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. He is understanding. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths will faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.

Mrs. Mary Ann Cunningham, "after Four-score and Four Years" was "Escorted to Glory by Angels" on Thursday afternoon, July 13, 2023, with her loving family near her side in Eufaula, Oklahoma.

The Sacred Farewell for Mother Cunningham will commence on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the Eleventh Hour in the most Holy sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church-Huttonville.

You may visit Mother Cunningham, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home on Friday, July 21, 2023 between the hours of 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM.

The Christian Committal will commence immediately following the services in the Huttonville Cemetery.