Gaines Cunningham

Gaines C. ` Sonny` Cunningham, 78, Big Rock, TN, died Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at Spring Meadows Nursing Home, Clarksville, TN. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday at Anglin Funeral Home with military honors, with Father David Gaffny and Reverend Roy Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Heflin Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 -8:00 pm Friday and from 10:00 am until the hour of service Saturday at Anglin Funeral Home. Anglin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was born September 14, 1931, in Stewart County, TN. He was the son of the late Basil T. Cunningham and Mary Ethelyne Ezell Cunningham both of Stewart County TN. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Tony Ross Cunningham, Wallace Burton Cunningham, and Bobby Douglas Cunningham and a son Norman Edward Cunningham. He was a member of the U.S. Army and served in the 2nd Infantry Division, Company A, 72nd Tank Battalion, where he received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor in the Korean War. He was past Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 457, of Clarksville, TN, during 1992 and 1993. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Dover, TN. Survivors include his wife, Lois Rebecca Johnson Cunningham of Big Rock: three children, Edward A. Cunningham of Melbourne, FL; George W. Cunningham (Tonya) of Palmyra, TN.; Julia A. Cunningham Lewis (Robert) of Powder Springs, GA.; adopted son Ricky Keel of Cunningham TN; and one sister Bonnie Cunningham Selsvold (Robert) of Littleton, CO; six grandchildren, Joshua Cunningham, Cooper, Caden and Casen Cunningham, Ashley and Zachary Lewis; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Mason Cunningham. Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert Brandon, Jerry Cunningham, Gerald Cunningham, Michael Cunningham, Rex Crain, Kenny Wallace, Kevin Austin and Jim Edward Page. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association (A.P.D.A) 135 Parkinson Ave. Staten Island, NY 10305, (1-800-223-2732) in memory of G.C. ”Sonny” Cunningham.