Walter Cunningham Jr. was born April 2nd, 1940. He was the first born son of the late Cynthia Elizabeth Stewart and Sir Walter Cunningham Sr. of Atkins, Arkansas. He departed this life on June14, 2014 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock Arkansas. He professed a hope in Christ at an early age and joined the Pilgrim Rest No 2 Missionary Baptist church. He grew, thrived and prospered in the Happy Bend Community. After Graduating from Sullivan High School in Morrilton, Arkansas in 1959, he moved to Arizona, where he developed a love for cooking. He married Catherine Barnes of Morrilton, Arkansas and to that union 5 children were born. Upon his return, he settled in the Happy Bend Community. He was a hardworking man, employed by Firestone Rubber and Tire Company for 30 years raising a family and became and active rancher. He loved hunting especially coon hunting. As a Deacon in the church, he served faithfully over 40 years until his health began to fail. A recipient of the Middle Western District Lifetime Achievement Award; he considered receiving that award one of his brightest moments. He was an advocate for farmers everywhere and he was very active in the Black Farmers Association (BFFA). He was a powerful man that demonstrated strength over time. His nature was generous, kind, compassionate and helpful, he never met a stranger. Walter Cunningham Jr.s bride, Catherine preceded him in death. He is survived by three sons, Tony Flood of Morrilton, Kenneth Cunningham (Belinda)of Aberdeen,Maryland and Shawn Cunningham of Richmond,Virginia. Two daughters; Shelia Cunningham- Hodge of Little Rock and Shannon Cunningham of Conway, Arkansas. Four Brothers, Lee Bradley Cunningham(deceased), Monsenior Cunningham (Ella), Marcellus Cunningham (Joyce) and Edmund Cunningham. Nine Sisters; Wilzetta Miller (deceased), Pauline Jackson(deceased) and Bertha Lee Sander (deceased),Juanita Peyton (Larry), Shirley Walker (Jake), Array Gilkey(Luther), Emma Rayford (William)and Elaine Brown (Leonard). A Mother-in-Law;Frances Campbell and a maternal Aunt, Grace Mae Hill. God blessed him with Grandsons: Damien Hodge, Alexander Cunningham, Devin Haynes and Granddaughters: Chinetta Lee, Shaunta Hodge, Mara Flood, Paige Flood, Shara Hodge and Keyanna Cunningham. Five Great Grand Children, Sasha Hodge and Cartier Hodge, Elijah Flood , Kennedy Lee along with hosts of nieces and nephews. Funeral service for Mr. Cunningham will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 20, 2014 at Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church, 77 Union Grove Rd West in Atkins, Arkansas by Rev. Paul Erby. The body will lie in state at the church from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. the day of the funeral. Interment will be in Rose of Sharon Cemetery in Blackwell, Arkansas. Family visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the funeral home.