Thomas Cunningham

Thomas Westley Cunningham, a long-time resident of Spartanburg, passed away August 12th, in Grayson, Georgia at the home of his daughter. He was 85. The oldest of eight children, he was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on September 24th, 1929, to the late Coleman and Elva Cunningham. He was married on October 22, 1947, to the love of his life, Naomi Mayfield, who once joyfully wrote that their hobbies were fishing and having babies. Mrs. Cunningham preceded him in death in 2012, after 65 years of marriage. He is survived by two sons and their wives-Jeffrey and Sylvia Cunningham of Brookeland, Texas, Kenneth and Joann Cunningham of Spartanburg, SC; and one daughter and her husband – Sherry and David Green of Grayson, Georgia. Another son, Gregory, preceded him in death in 2000. Also surviving Mr. Cunningham are brothers Charles R. Cunningham; Richard E. Cunningham; sisters Elva Mae McKee; Linda Lee Slegelmilch; and Mary Helen Riley; and numerous, much-loved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Mr. Cunningham supported his growing family in the early years by artistically painting the delicate, symmetrical designs on pottery dishes at Hall China in East Liverpool, Ohio, where he and his wife made their home. Following that, he went on to the sales in engineering and welding specialist fields. He and his wife bought land in Spartanburg, SC in 1973, and together with their children, they built and operated the Cunningham RV Park. Their family business is still in operation today by their grandchildren. During his lifetime, Mr. Cunningham and his wife faithfully attended The Church of Christ in East Liverpool, Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, and Jasper, Texas.