Joanne Cunningham

On Monday, October 16, 2023, Joanne Cunningham, beloved Sister, Niece, Aunt, Grand Aunt, Great Grand Aunt, Cousin, and Friend was called home to be with the Lord our Father. We are confident God welcomed His angel home with open arms, saying, “Job Well Done My Faithful Servant.” 

Joanne was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 19, 1954, to the late Thomas and Annie (Pressley) Cunningham. She was the third child born to their union of seven children.

At an early age, Joanne accepted Christ in her life and was baptized in 1964 by the late Harold Oliver Davis, at the Cornerstone Baptist Church. She joined the Children’s Choir under the leadership of Sister Hattie McGeary and later joined the Faith Choir in 1980 where she served for twenty-one years along with serving as the treasurer of the choir for ten years. She continued servant duties by also serving on the Fuel Club under the leadership of Brother St. John. Joanne loved the Lord and her favorite scripture “Psalm 23” “The Lord is my Shepherd” and her favorite gospel song is “I Won’t Complain”.

Joanne was educated in the Public Schools of Philadelphia, graduating from Simon Gratz High in June 1973. She was a long tenured, faithful employee of Tyco Pharmaceutical.

Joanne was affectionately known as “Jo” or “JoJo.”  Her late cousin, Sam McGill, would often call her “break down”, “cake maker” and “prayer warrior”.  Jo really knew how to send up a prayer for anyone in need at any time.

Jo was a very independent person and never late for whatever the occasion may call for as she was reliable as you can depend on her to always be there and be there on time. She always spoke whatever was on her mind and was passionate about her love of Reggae music with some of favorite artists being Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, and Beres Hammond. She loved to celebrate and have a good time whether it was hosting block parties, birthday parties, etc. and always considered the life of the party.  She was also known for her delicious Mac and Cheese and her Sweet Potato Pies and Cakes (she was truly a master at cooking and baking).

Preceding her in death were her parents, Thomas and Annie Cunningham; two brothers, Thomas James Cunningham (“JT”) and Carl Leon Cunningham, and one sister, Patricia Cunningham.

Joanne leaves to cherish her wonderful memory: two sisters, Barbara Jean Cunningham of Philadelphia, PA and Bernadette Townsend (Vic) of Conyers, GA; one brother, Avery Michael Cunningham of Fresno, CA; one sister-in-law, Yvonne Cunningham of Philadelphia, PA; stepsisters and brothers, Norris Phillips (Janice) of Conway, South Carolina, Eugenia Singleton (LeRoy) of North Charleston, South Carolina, Kathy Dozier (Jeffrey) of Georgetown, South Carolina, James Phillips (Mavis) of Conway, South Carolina, Cynthia Livingston (Morgan) of Bucksport, South Carolina, and Jania Tatum of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Mitchell Robinson, Marion Robinson, and Linda Robinson of Philadelphia, PA; one God-sister, Margie Green of Philadelphia, PA; five nieces, Yvonne Cunningham “P-Nut”, Deatria Cunningham, Rhonda Cunningham of Philadelphia, PA, Nakia Martin (Eric) of Wyncote, PA, and Patricia Cunningham of Porterville, CA;  five nephews, Dante Cunningham of Philadelphia, PA, Joshua and Jamie Townsend of Conyers, GA, Dante Cunningham and Devin Cunningham of Porterville, CA; four grand nieces and nephews, Calvin Jones,  Kanyana Reese, Gianna Martin, and Amani Cunningham; great niece, Octavia Cunningham and great nephew, Cody Jones; two aunts, Rachel Hairston and Lucille Pressley both of Philadelphia, PA, and one uncle, Harris Napoleon of New Haven, CT,  and a host of special cousins and friends.

LOVINGLY SUBMTTED,

The Family

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