Mr. Ray Cunningham, 61, of Patterson, passed away early Monday, August 14, 2023, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross, following an extended illness.
Born January 10, 1962, in Blackshear, he was a son of the late Raymond Carol "RC" Cunningham Sr. and Irma Lucille "Lucy" Anderson Cunningham. He lived most of his life in Pierce County and was a 1980 graduate of Patterson High School. He also obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia; his master's from Troy University; and his specialist at Valdosta State University. He retired from the Pierce County Board of Education as an elementary school teacher with Patterson Elementary School.
He was a longtime member of Patterson Baptist Church and had served as the church pianist since childhood.
An active member of his community, he was the former City Clerk with the City of Patterson and the Director of Eagle Station. He had served on the Eagle Station Board of Directors, the Eagle Station Art Committee, and as a Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
Following his illness, he continued serving as an advisor to the Eagle Station Board, the Chamber of Commerce Board, and other organizations.
He was instrumental in bringing wholesome entertainment and revived community spirit, through stage shows, concerts, and other programs. Awarded for his community service, he was the 2021 Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and the 2019 Dow Nimmer Award recipient.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an aunt, Mary Anderson Crawford.
Survivors include his 4 children, Brett "Rhett" Cunningham (wife Taylor Jones Cunningham) of Columbus, GA, Reason Cunningham of Laramie, WY, Emmaline Cunningham of Gainesville, GA, and Ryan Cunningham of Dahlonega, GA; 1 granddaughter, Sophia Cunningham (daughter of Brett and Taylor); sister and brother-in-law, Rita and David McNeal of Blackshear; half-brother, Freddie Cunningham (wife Jackie Cunningham) of Alma; niece, Bailey McNeal Griffis (husband Timothy Griffis) of Blackshear; nephew, Dutch McNeal (wife Ally) of Blackshear; 2 aunts, Blanche "Sugar" Coburn and Margaret Hodges, both of Hardeeville, S.C.; uncle, Lloyd Anderson of Patterson; numerous cousins; and many friends and other relatives.
A funeral service will take place Wednesday morning (8/16/23) at 11 a.m. at Patterson Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Laura Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday one hour prior and immediately following the service.
The family requests the staff and employees of the City of Patterson to serve as honorary pallbearers. Please be at the church by 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31503 or to Patterson Baptist Church, PO Box 385, Patterson, GA 31557.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Born January 10, 1962, in Blackshear, he was a son of the late Raymond Carol "RC" Cunningham Sr. and Irma Lucille "Lucy" Anderson Cunningham. He lived most of his life in Pierce County and was a 1980 graduate of Patterson High School. He also obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia; his master's from Troy University; and his specialist at Valdosta State University. He retired from the Pierce County Board of Education as an elementary school teacher with Patterson Elementary School.
He was a longtime member of Patterson Baptist Church and had served as the church pianist since childhood.
An active member of his community, he was the former City Clerk with the City of Patterson and the Director of Eagle Station. He had served on the Eagle Station Board of Directors, the Eagle Station Art Committee, and as a Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
Following his illness, he continued serving as an advisor to the Eagle Station Board, the Chamber of Commerce Board, and other organizations.
He was instrumental in bringing wholesome entertainment and revived community spirit, through stage shows, concerts, and other programs. Awarded for his community service, he was the 2021 Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and the 2019 Dow Nimmer Award recipient.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an aunt, Mary Anderson Crawford.
Survivors include his 4 children, Brett "Rhett" Cunningham (wife Taylor Jones Cunningham) of Columbus, GA, Reason Cunningham of Laramie, WY, Emmaline Cunningham of Gainesville, GA, and Ryan Cunningham of Dahlonega, GA; 1 granddaughter, Sophia Cunningham (daughter of Brett and Taylor); sister and brother-in-law, Rita and David McNeal of Blackshear; half-brother, Freddie Cunningham (wife Jackie Cunningham) of Alma; niece, Bailey McNeal Griffis (husband Timothy Griffis) of Blackshear; nephew, Dutch McNeal (wife Ally) of Blackshear; 2 aunts, Blanche "Sugar" Coburn and Margaret Hodges, both of Hardeeville, S.C.; uncle, Lloyd Anderson of Patterson; numerous cousins; and many friends and other relatives.
A funeral service will take place Wednesday morning (8/16/23) at 11 a.m. at Patterson Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Laura Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday one hour prior and immediately following the service.
The family requests the staff and employees of the City of Patterson to serve as honorary pallbearers. Please be at the church by 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31503 or to Patterson Baptist Church, PO Box 385, Patterson, GA 31557.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Mr. Ray Cunningham, 61, of Patterson, passed away early Monday, August 14, 2023, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross, following an extended illness.
Born January 10, 1962, in Blackshear, he was a son of the late Raymond Carol "RC" Cunningham Sr. and Irma Lucille "Lucy" Anderson Cunningham. He lived most of his life in Pierce County and was a 1980 graduate of Patterson High School. He also obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia; his master's from Troy University; and his specialist at Valdosta State University. He retired from the Pierce County Board of Education as an elementary school teacher with Patterson Elementary School.
He was a longtime member of Patterson Baptist Church and had served as the church pianist since childhood.
An active member of his community, he was the former City Clerk with the City of Patterson and the Director of Eagle Station. He had served on the Eagle Station Board of Directors, the Eagle Station Art Committee, and as a Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
Following his illness, he continued serving as an advisor to the Eagle Station Board, the Chamber of Commerce Board, and other organizations.
He was instrumental in bringing wholesome entertainment and revived community spirit, through stage shows, concerts, and other programs. Awarded for his community service, he was the 2021 Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and the 2019 Dow Nimmer Award recipient.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an aunt, Mary Anderson Crawford.
Survivors include his 4 children, Brett "Rhett" Cunningham (wife Taylor Jones Cunningham) of Columbus, GA, Reason Cunningham of Laramie, WY, Emmaline Cunningham of Gainesville, GA, and Ryan Cunningham of Dahlonega, GA; 1 granddaughter, Sophia Cunningham (daughter of Brett and Taylor); sister and brother-in-law, Rita and David McNeal of Blackshear; half-brother, Freddie Cunningham (wife Jackie Cunningham) of Alma; niece, Bailey McNeal Griffis (husband Timothy Griffis) of Blackshear; nephew, Dutch McNeal (wife Ally) of Blackshear; 2 aunts, Blanche "Sugar" Coburn and Margaret Hodges, both of Hardeeville, S.C.; uncle, Lloyd Anderson of Patterson; numerous cousins; and many friends and other relatives.
A funeral service will take place Wednesday morning (8/16/23) at 11 a.m. at Patterson Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Laura Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday one hour prior and immediately following the service.
The family requests the staff and employees of the City of Patterson to serve as honorary pallbearers. Please be at the church by 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31503 or to Patterson Baptist Church, PO Box 385, Patterson, GA 31557.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Born January 10, 1962, in Blackshear, he was a son of the late Raymond Carol "RC" Cunningham Sr. and Irma Lucille "Lucy" Anderson Cunningham. He lived most of his life in Pierce County and was a 1980 graduate of Patterson High School. He also obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia; his master's from Troy University; and his specialist at Valdosta State University. He retired from the Pierce County Board of Education as an elementary school teacher with Patterson Elementary School.
He was a longtime member of Patterson Baptist Church and had served as the church pianist since childhood.
An active member of his community, he was the former City Clerk with the City of Patterson and the Director of Eagle Station. He had served on the Eagle Station Board of Directors, the Eagle Station Art Committee, and as a Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
Following his illness, he continued serving as an advisor to the Eagle Station Board, the Chamber of Commerce Board, and other organizations.
He was instrumental in bringing wholesome entertainment and revived community spirit, through stage shows, concerts, and other programs. Awarded for his community service, he was the 2021 Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and the 2019 Dow Nimmer Award recipient.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an aunt, Mary Anderson Crawford.
Survivors include his 4 children, Brett "Rhett" Cunningham (wife Taylor Jones Cunningham) of Columbus, GA, Reason Cunningham of Laramie, WY, Emmaline Cunningham of Gainesville, GA, and Ryan Cunningham of Dahlonega, GA; 1 granddaughter, Sophia Cunningham (daughter of Brett and Taylor); sister and brother-in-law, Rita and David McNeal of Blackshear; half-brother, Freddie Cunningham (wife Jackie Cunningham) of Alma; niece, Bailey McNeal Griffis (husband Timothy Griffis) of Blackshear; nephew, Dutch McNeal (wife Ally) of Blackshear; 2 aunts, Blanche "Sugar" Coburn and Margaret Hodges, both of Hardeeville, S.C.; uncle, Lloyd Anderson of Patterson; numerous cousins; and many friends and other relatives.
A funeral service will take place Wednesday morning (8/16/23) at 11 a.m. at Patterson Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Laura Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday one hour prior and immediately following the service.
The family requests the staff and employees of the City of Patterson to serve as honorary pallbearers. Please be at the church by 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31503 or to Patterson Baptist Church, PO Box 385, Patterson, GA 31557.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
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