Mr. Edmond Cunningham, 69 of Atkins, Arkansas transitioned of Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Edmond was born April 2, 1953 in Atkins, Arkansas. He was the ninth child to the late Cynthia E. Stewart-Cunningham and Sir Walter Cunningham Sr. Edmond professed a hope in Christ at an early age and joined Pilgrim Rest #2 Baptist Church in Atkins and remained a lifelong member where he served as a choir member, Deacon, and Sunday School Superintendent. Edmond was educated in the Atkins School system and later attended the Arkansas Polytechnical College in Russellville, Arkansas. On February 21, 1981 he married Vanessa Moore. To this union they bore three sons. Edmond recently retired from Firestone Tire, where he worked for over 30 years. Edmond was revered in the farming community and was an avid member of the National Black Farmers Association which focuses on education and advocacy efforts on civil rights, land retention, access to public and private loans, agricultural training, and rural economic development for black and other small farmers. At one time, Edmond owned and operated the largest farming operation in Pope county, which included the largest swine finishing farm in the state of Arkansas. In 1995, his family was awarded the Farm Bureau (Pope County) Farm Family of the Year "…in recognition and encouragement of farm families who do outstanding work on their farms and in their community". Upon retirement in 2008, Edmond remained a dedicated member of his community; which included ground maintenance for his church, fundraising and maintenance for his family cemetery, and many other initiatives in the Happy Bend Community. Moreover, he continued to extend his lifelong dedication, duty, and love to his many siblings and friends. Edmond loved helping others…never met a stranger…and opened his heart to everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Emma Rayford, Bertha Sanders, Pauline Jackson, Wilzetta Miller and two brothers, Walter Cunningham, Jr. and Lee Bradley Cunningham. His cherished memory now lives through one daughter Venus (Mark) Britton, three sons Chase (Kimberly) Cunningham, Trase (Dr. Mary Margaret) Cunningham, Justin Cunningham; four sisters, Juanita Peyton, Shirley Walker, Array Gilkey and Elaine Brown; two brothers, Monscenior Cunningham and Marcellius Cunningham; four granddaughters, two grandsons and a host of nieces & nephews, cousins and friends. Edmond's kind spirit, generosity, and steadfast commitment to his friends and family will be deeply missed and treasured. Don't cry for me now I have died, for I'm still here I'm by your side, My body's gone but my soul is here, please don't shed another tear, I am still here I'm all around, only my body lies in the ground. Vance-Wilson & Jarrett Funeral Directors "The Epitome of Service"

Visitation Friday, November 25, 2022 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church 77 Union Grove Road West Atkins, Arkansas 72823 Funeral Service Friday, November 25, 2022 11:00 AM Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church 77 Union Grove Road West Atkins, Arkansas 72823