Shirley Bates Cunningham, age 84 of Winchester, passed away on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems. A native of Franklin County, she was born on June 9, 1936 to the late Carl and Bertha (Davis) Bates. Shirley was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Estill Springs, where she began playing the piano at age twelve and had continued for over seventy years. She also served as the church secretary as well as the secretary for the local Baptist Association. For over twenty years, Shirley had worked with the Franklin County School System as a piano teacher and also had taught lessons from her home. She had also worked as a dental assistant and at First National. Shirley cherished the time spent with her family and enjoyed the times they spent playing cards and board games. She loved going everywhere, especially to see the grandchildren, and had traveled to Puerto Rico, Alaska, Europe, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, Canada, as well as to much of the United States, but one of her favorite destinations was the Smoky Mountains. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she had the gift of hospitality and will be remembered for her loving nature. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her son, Lynn Eric Cunningham; siblings, James Bates, Edgar (Lucille) Bates, and Mary Ruth (Dan) Muse; and brother-in-law, John Gaul. She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-five years, John Cunningham of Winchester; children, David (Angie) Cunningham of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, Gregg (Vicki) Cunningham of Huntsville, Alabama, and Tracy (Lori) Cunningham of Madison, Alabama; sister, Esther Gaul of Estill Springs; grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan) Cushman, Zachary (Jenni) Cunningham, Miranda (Brad) Detandt, Jason (Stephanie) Cunningham, Caitlin (Carter) Weiland, Lauren (Mitch) Hunter, Rebekah (Moises) Palmera, Rachel (Brandon) Mandeville, Anna Cunningham, and Ariel Cunningham; and twelve great-grandchildren with one on the way. Visitation will be from 5-8 pm on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, December 17, 2020 in the Moore-Cortner Chapel with Bro. John Segree officiating. Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222
