On Saturday, April 26, 2014, Deacon Manning Cunningham, Jr., our dad, accepted God’s call and surrendered after a period of illness at Henrico Doctor’s Hospital, Richmond, Virginia.

Manning Cunningham, Jr. was born on September 5, 1933 to the late Monen Jordan and Manning Cunningham, Sr. in Jefferson County, Alabama.

He joined the United States Army in January 1, 1954 and retired with an honorable discharge on June 30, 1976. During his time in the Army, he served two tours in Vietnam. Other tours of duty included Korea, Germany, Greenland, and Iceland, along with many assignments throughout the United States.

Manning was later employed at Virginia State College (University), Fort Lee Quartermaster and the Defense General Supply Company, from which he retired. When finding time for hobbies, Manning was an avid fisherman.

He accepted Christ at an early age and joined his family church in Alabama. Later in life, after his retirement, Manning began to attend Marmora Baptist Church. He attended, along with his wife, faithfully, each Sunday; and they later joined in 1990. On August 7, 1994, Manning was ordained as a Deacon under the leadership of Pastor Victor McLaughlin. Deacon Cunningham was a true bible scholar. He was a member of the Senior and Inspirational Choirs, Brotherhood Ministry, Sunday School Ministry, and was a consultant with the Usher’s Ministry.

Deacon Cunningham leaves to cherish his fond and loving memories his devoted wife, Estelle Wells Cunningham of Petersburg, Va.; one son, Manning Cunningham III of Petersburg, Va.; two daughters, Doraleen Wells of Petersburg, Va., and Shirley Wells of Kinston, North Carolina; grandchildren, Cherita Staton, Mahlik M. Cunningham, Marcus X. Cunningham, Manika M. Cunningham and Anita Miller of Kingston, North Carolina; three great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.; nieces, including one devoted niece, Ms. Petrina Cunningham of Birmingham, Alabama; nephews, including three devoted, Thaddeus Turner, Larry Riggins of Petersburg, Va. And Darren Cunningham (Tara) of Memphis, Tenn; and a host of other family members and friends.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the Marmora Baptist Church Family, McGuire Veterans Hospital, Henrico Doctors Hospital, and Sitter and Barfoots Veterans Care Center. A special thank you to nephew, Thaddeus Turner, for transporting him (Manning) during his declining health, and to many others too numerous to name.

Funeral services for Deacon Manning Cunningham, Jr. will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the Marmora Baptist Church, 2901 Exter Mill Road, Church Road, Virginia 23822, with the Rev. Victor McLaughlin, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. On the day of the service, remains will lie in state at 10:45am until the hour of service.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 6 to 8pm and on Friday, May 2, 2014 from 9am to 8pm at the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the residence, 628 Old Wagner Road. Petersburg, Virginia and is also asking them to assemble there on the day of the service at 10:30am.

Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com

Professional funeral services have been entrusted to the staff of the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia (North Dinwiddie County), Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Funeral Director, (804) 732-5959 and (804)834-3330.