Jerry Neil Cunningham, age 79, passed away in Huntsville, Alabama, on May 28, 2024, in the
comforting presence of his wife, Anna Callaway Cunningham, his son, Mark Allen Cunningham,
and his daughter, Amy Cunningham Brock.
Jerry was the son of McKinley "Mac" and Pauline "Pollye" Cunningham, who predeceased him.
He grew up in Soddy (not Daisy), Tennessee, where he frequently could be found engaged in
horseplay up in the "Gulf" with members of his family. As a teenager, he moved to Red Bank,
Tennessee, where he was rumored to get into occasional trouble with his identical twin brother,
Jim, but usually not with his younger brother, Mack.
Jerry married Anna in 1966, and they shared 57 years of active and loving marriage with most of
their years living on Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Those years were filled with days and nights
of golf, endless play with their children, and a love of travel – as long as it was to the beach,
Gatinburg or a casino.
Jerry was a regionally and nationally recognized salesman in the corrugated container industry,
and he eventually retired as an employee of West Rock's Chattanooga office. At his retirement
ceremony, he was celebrated with his favorite two words that started and ended most of his
sentences: "Hoss, … okay?"
Jerry is well-remembered as a coach to hundreds of boys on Signal Mountain, where he could be
found arguing bad calls with every umpire he could find. When he was younger, he loved – more
than anything – to watch his son, Mark, play baseball. Then he grew older and loved – more than
anything – simply to spend time with his daughter, Amy. Jerry and Anna eventually moved to
Huntsville, Alabama, to be nearer Amy as she battles the same disease that ultimately took his
life – cancer.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife and partner, Anna; his son, Mark (Mandie) Cunningham; his
daughter, Amy (Marcus) Brock; his four dearly beloved grandchildren, Jackson, Kai, Auburne
and Jillian; and two brothers, Jimmy "Jim" (Sandy) Cunningham and Mack (Martha)
Cunningham.
Jerry will be remembered for his laughter. We love you and miss your grand tales already.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
