Thomas Joseph Cunningham
In Memory Loving Memory of Our Patriarch Founder, Owner, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer 1952-2017
In Memory Loving Memory of Our Patriarch
Thomas Joseph Cunningham
“Tommy Jo” of Kilgore, Texas was born
November 10, 1952 to the parentage of the late Marvin and Wergena
Christian Cunningham in Winnsboro, Texas.
He united with Hynson Chapel C.M.E. Church at an early age. He
attended P. L. Dunbar Elementary and Winnsboro High School. He
attended Dallas Institute of Funeral Services where he received his
Mortician and Funeral Director's License.
Thomas was very gifted in this field and served as a mentor to many who
sought his help. He was very professional, patient, empathetic, and
sensitive to the needs of others especially when meeting with grieving
families. He owned and operated Cunningham Funeral Home for 32
years, was a member of the Post Oak Lodge #436 AF & AM - Kilgore, TX,
Past President of I.F.D.A., associate member of N.F.D.M.A, and a member of
the N.F.D.A.
He married the love of his life Jocelli Reneé Dorsey on August 27, 1983;
they were married for 33 years. To this union one child was born, Jessica
Janae Cunningham-James. He considered her his greatest gift of all time since she was born on Father's Day.
He passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017 in Longview, TX. He is preceded
in death by his parents, sister's Virginia Cunningham and Barbara Belt,
brother's David and Ray Cunningham and sister-in-law Marilyn J. Kelly.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife, Reneé
Cunningham of Kilgore, TX; loving daughter and son-in-law, Jessica
Cunningham-James (Chuckie) of Kilgore, TX; two brother's, Marcus
Cunningham of Winnsboro, TX and William Kelly of Hephzibah, GA; three
aunt's, Dorothy Spelmon of Fort Worth, TX, Edna Brown and Ruthie
Bowers both of Kilgore, TX; brother-in-law, Chris Dorsey (Deidra) of
Frisco, TX; sister-in-law, Raven Dorsey of Kilgore, TX; four niece's, Dr.
Jocelyn Renee Kelly-Bayliss, Christi Smith, Teniqua Simmons, and
Heather Hall; eight nephew's, William Bruce Belt, Lyle Bursey, Kelvin
Kelly, Jalen Dorsey, Jacobe Ross, Ryan Dorsey, Bréden Ford, and Bryson
Ford; devoted staff member's, Gerald Henderson, Charles Doss, Derek
Thomas, Alton Pryor, Charlotte Faggett, Regina Smith, J. Vaughn Griffin,
Robert Morgan, Johnny Randall, Randle McGill, Patricia Register,
Geneva Brager, Darrin Rudolph and a host of other relatives and many
friends. A special thanks to all his friends in the funeral industry.
Thomas Joseph Cunningham
In Memory Loving Memory of Our Patriarch Founder, Owner, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer 1952-2017
In Memory Loving Memory of Our Patriarch
Thomas Joseph Cunningham
“Tommy Jo” of Kilgore, Texas was born
November 10, 1952 to the parentage of the late Marvin and Wergena
Christian Cunningham in Winnsboro, Texas.
He united with Hynson Chapel C.M.E. Church at an early age. He
attended P. L. Dunbar Elementary and Winnsboro High School. He
attended Dallas Institute of Funeral Services where he received his
Mortician and Funeral Director's License.
Thomas was very gifted in this field and served as a mentor to many who
sought his help. He was very professional, patient, empathetic, and
sensitive to the needs of others especially when meeting with grieving
families. He owned and operated Cunningham Funeral Home for 32
years, was a member of the Post Oak Lodge #436 AF & AM - Kilgore, TX,
Past President of I.F.D.A., associate member of N.F.D.M.A, and a member of
the N.F.D.A.
He married the love of his life Jocelli Reneé Dorsey on August 27, 1983;
they were married for 33 years. To this union one child was born, Jessica
Janae Cunningham-James. He considered her his greatest gift of all time since she was born on Father's Day.
He passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017 in Longview, TX. He is preceded
in death by his parents, sister's Virginia Cunningham and Barbara Belt,
brother's David and Ray Cunningham and sister-in-law Marilyn J. Kelly.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife, Reneé
Cunningham of Kilgore, TX; loving daughter and son-in-law, Jessica
Cunningham-James (Chuckie) of Kilgore, TX; two brother's, Marcus
Cunningham of Winnsboro, TX and William Kelly of Hephzibah, GA; three
aunt's, Dorothy Spelmon of Fort Worth, TX, Edna Brown and Ruthie
Bowers both of Kilgore, TX; brother-in-law, Chris Dorsey (Deidra) of
Frisco, TX; sister-in-law, Raven Dorsey of Kilgore, TX; four niece's, Dr.
Jocelyn Renee Kelly-Bayliss, Christi Smith, Teniqua Simmons, and
Heather Hall; eight nephew's, William Bruce Belt, Lyle Bursey, Kelvin
Kelly, Jalen Dorsey, Jacobe Ross, Ryan Dorsey, Bréden Ford, and Bryson
Ford; devoted staff member's, Gerald Henderson, Charles Doss, Derek
Thomas, Alton Pryor, Charlotte Faggett, Regina Smith, J. Vaughn Griffin,
Robert Morgan, Johnny Randall, Randle McGill, Patricia Register,
Geneva Brager, Darrin Rudolph and a host of other relatives and many
friends. A special thanks to all his friends in the funeral industry.
Annie Mae Clayton-Smith
In Memory Loving Memory of Our Beloved Secretary 1940-2016
Annie Mae Smith the sweet, yet bitter joy of birth came to Calvin and Florence Herndon Clayton on May 11, 1940 in the Oakwood Community, Rural Troup, Texas. She attended Oakwood and Troup Schools.
At an early age, she chose Jesus as her personal Savior and became a member of Mt. Rose Baptist Church Troup, Texas.
On moving to Kilgore, she joined Kilgore Baptist Church under the Rev. T.E. George, where she served in Circle #3, Senior Choir, Willing Workers Circle and Culinary Staff until the lengthening of the shadow. She remained a faithful member 'til His call on October 6, 2016.
She worked for many families over the years as a babysitter and housekeeper: The Gauthier's, Mitchell's, Bolt's, and Gipson's. She also worked for K.I.S.D, Jones Funeral Home, Mitchell Funeral Home and Cunningham Funeral Home.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Smith; Children Annie Marie Lawler, Arthur James Manning, Mary Ellen Manning, Parents; Calvin and Florence Clayton, Siblings; Willie Gene Clayton, Billie Clayton, Charlene Williams, Gerelene Clayton, and Nephew; Gavin Clayton.
She leaves to cherish her memories; children Curly "Cool" Manning Sr. (Mildred), Wilma Manning, Regina Bush (James), James "Boy Boy" Smith Jr; grandchildren Curly Manning Jr., April Lawler, Yamika Smith, Kadijah Bush, Shakeitha Green, Kameron Hawkins; great-grandchildren Kordayvian Jackson, Jacovan Jackson, Keyandrae Nelson, Ja'Darrion Nelson, Ja'Kayden Morgan, sisters and brothers A.C. Clayton, James L. Clayton, Florence Clayton, Dorothy Clayton, Vernell Kennedy, Essie Williams, Climmie Lewis. Special Friends: Annie Lois Hall, Lawrency Mae Shiner, Thomas, Renee', Jessica Cunningham & The Cunningham Funeral Home Staff.
Annie Mae Clayton-Smith
In Memory Loving Memory of Our Beloved Secretary 1940-2016
Annie Mae Smith the sweet, yet bitter joy of birth came to Calvin and Florence Herndon Clayton on May 11, 1940 in the Oakwood Community, Rural Troup, Texas. She attended Oakwood and Troup Schools.
At an early age, she chose Jesus as her personal Savior and became a member of Mt. Rose Baptist Church Troup, Texas.
On moving to Kilgore, she joined Kilgore Baptist Church under the Rev. T.E. George, where she served in Circle #3, Senior Choir, Willing Workers Circle and Culinary Staff until the lengthening of the shadow. She remained a faithful member 'til His call on October 6, 2016.
She worked for many families over the years as a babysitter and housekeeper: The Gauthier's, Mitchell's, Bolt's, and Gipson's. She also worked for K.I.S.D, Jones Funeral Home, Mitchell Funeral Home and Cunningham Funeral Home.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Smith; Children Annie Marie Lawler, Arthur James Manning, Mary Ellen Manning, Parents; Calvin and Florence Clayton, Siblings; Willie Gene Clayton, Billie Clayton, Charlene Williams, Gerelene Clayton, and Nephew; Gavin Clayton.
She leaves to cherish her memories; children Curly "Cool" Manning Sr. (Mildred), Wilma Manning, Regina Bush (James), James "Boy Boy" Smith Jr; grandchildren Curly Manning Jr., April Lawler, Yamika Smith, Kadijah Bush, Shakeitha Green, Kameron Hawkins; great-grandchildren Kordayvian Jackson, Jacovan Jackson, Keyandrae Nelson, Ja'Darrion Nelson, Ja'Kayden Morgan, sisters and brothers A.C. Clayton, James L. Clayton, Florence Clayton, Dorothy Clayton, Vernell Kennedy, Essie Williams, Climmie Lewis. Special Friends: Annie Lois Hall, Lawrency Mae Shiner, Thomas, Renee', Jessica Cunningham & The Cunningham Funeral Home Staff.