Juanita Cunningham

Juanita Cunningham was born on July 25, 1937 in Gurdon, Arkansas to the union of Leroy and Mary Mitchell Cunningham. Juanita accepted Christ as a young lady and united with Eastern Star Baptist Church where she was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union. Those she touched and those who knew her witnessed her love for God. She was a believer in “treating others, as you would have them to treat you”. She was a graduate of Gurdon High School and grew up to be an intelligent and hard working young lady. Shortly after high school she pursued her cosmetology license and worked as a beautician. She moved to Los Angeles where she did some light modeling work and united with Greater True Friendship Baptist Church where she served as a choir member. She worked as a mail clerk for the United States Postal Service and made man sacrifices to take care of her children. Juanita possessed a friendly and warm spirit. She enjoyed the simple things that life had to offer. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. She later moved back to Smithton and worked as a mail sorter in Hot Springs at the post office until she retired after 24 combined years of postal service. Juanita was a proud mother and made several sacrifices to ensure that children and grandchildren always had what they needed. She always wore a beautiful smile and would offer words of encouragement if she felt the person was in need. She not only “talked the talk”, she “walked the walk.” Juanita has truly the foundation of her family and has left her family a legacy of LOVE. On Saturday, August 30, 2014, she slept into the Lord’s embrace. She was preceded in death by her parents. Her invariably cheerful, patient and kind presence will be sorely missed. The sweetness of Juanita is cherished by her daughters Janique Bullock of Gurdon, AR, Beverly (Arnold) Parks of Little Rock, AR, Tanya Cunningham of Little Rock, AR and Demastries L. Jenkins of Los Angeles, CA; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; her sisters, Artha Lee McClelland of Gurdon, AR, Betty Allen of Gurdon, AR and Mary L. (Jerry) Liberty of Woodville, MS. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She also leaves her special friends Dorothy Allen, Capitola “Cappie” Finester of Los Angeles, CA, and Rose Mary McIntosh. Public visitation will be held Friday, September 5, 2014 from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 7:30-8:30 pm. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 3pm at Eastern Star Baptist Church, Rev. Marshall Allen, Officiant. The committal service and final resting place will be in Greenville Cemetery.