Obituary of Joel Thomas Cunningham, Sr.

Funeral services for Joel Thomas Cunningham, Sr., age 87, of Wedowee will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM CST at Bethel East Baptist Church with Bro. Keith Runels and Bro. Wendell Ford officiating.  Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00-2:00 PM CST on Wednesday before services begin.

Mr. Cunningham passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at his residence.

Survivors include: one daughter, Melinda “Crickett” Ford (Wendell) of Wedowee; two sons, Tommy Cunningham of Wedowee and Joel Cunningham, Jr., (Tammy) of Chattanooga, TN; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Jeanette Lowery (Jimmy) of Bowdon, GA, Jean Cook (Clyde) of Ephesus, GA, and Mary Tarpley of Bowdon, GA; two brothers, Lester Cunningham of Pensacola, FL, and Rendel Cunningham (Judy) of Fairburn, GA; and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Timmy Lowery, Kolby Smith, Joe Messer, Aaron Ford, Aaron Wellborn, and Jay Herren.

A Woodland native, Mr. Cunningham was born on December 9, 1936, the son of Lamon and Bertha Smith Cunningham.  He was a member of Bethel East Baptist Church, a United States Army veteran, and worked as an architect inspector at Tomberlin Associates before retiring.  Mr. Cunningham was preceded in death by his parents; great-granddaughter, Karter Blair Smith; brothers, Edward “Preacher” Cunningham, Earl Cunningham, and Robert Cunningham; sisters, Gertrude Parmer, Cloie Noles, and Era Maude Smith; and infant sisters, Louise and Dean Cunningham.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Tanner Medical Center-East Alabama and Compassus Hospice for their compassion and care for our loved one.

Memorials may be floral.