Ann Cunningham

Died: Jan. 6, 2013

BAXTER -- Funeral services for Betty Ann Terrell Cunningham, 85, of the Boma community, will be held at 6 p.m. today from Boma First Church of God with the Rev. Tim Sharp and the Rev. Rex Boles officiating.

A private family graveside service will be held Wednesday in Smellage Memory Gardens with the Rev. Fred Hawkins and the Rev. Archie Whitefield officiating.

Mrs. Cunningham died Sunday morning at her home.

She was born Aug. 30, 1927, in Ashland, Ky., and was a daughter of the late Jack and Lula Bryant Terrell.

She was the widow of the Rev. Clyde E. Cunningham, a former pastor of Campground Church of God, who died Oct. 18, 2006.

Betty Ann was a "Pearl of a Lady." As a gifted 15-month-old baby, she was chosen through adoption by Jack and Lula Terrell and went on to make an impact on the world!

Gifted in art, voice and music, by age 5, was playing piano in church and has used the gift of art and music throughout her life from local to state to national levels from spiritual to school, community and civic events.

She graduated and received an art scholarship from Wilbur Wright High School in Dayton, Ohio. She had worked at a Dayton (Ohio) newspaper, the Wilbur Wright Aerial Institute, Georgia Shoe Co., Elmores Grocery, Dr. Hartman a chiropractic physician, Putnam County Education and in sales and public relations for JC Penney for 14 years.

She served The Christian Women Connection, an International Women's Mission Organization, in local, state and national positions. She was a trailblazer to help start-up units in much of Tennessee and Kentucky. Recently, she received a one-time "Oak Leaf Award" for her service to the Christian Women Connection.

She served in many ministries from youth, women's organizations, and administration. She and her husband conducted more than 1,000 weddings and funerals and more than 1,000 combined state meetings, revivals, conventions and seminars in 13 states. They served as senior pastors for the Boma First Church of God for 27 years.

Survivors include four daughters and sons-in-law: Jo and Ed Frazier of Cookeville, Jeanie and Winnell A. "Tony" Lee, Sherry Jones, and Gayle Cunningham, all of Baxter; a son: Clyde Cunningham Jr. and companion, Edith Ealey, of Baxter; eight grandchildren: Beth Ann Kelley, Shea Lee, Jason Lee, Sean Harley, DeCher Harley, Angela Eads, Shane Watson, and Leslie Anderson; 11 great-grandchildren: Parker and Paisley Kelley, Jay and Logan Lee, Elliott and Audrey Lee, Austin and Jacob Harley, Annagayle Harley, and Alainey and Macy Watson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caris Hospice, 2525 Highway 111 N., Algood, TN 38506, or Boma First Church of God Building Fund, 10630 Old Baxter Road, Baxter, TN 38544.

The family received friends at Boma First Church of God Monday from 6 to 8 p.m.,and this morning from 10 a.m. until time for the service. There was no visitation at the funeral home.

Pallbearers were Sean, Austin, and Jacob Harley, Shea, Jason, Jay and Logan Lee, Shane Watson, Shane Kelley, Joey Eads, and Bruce Hoese.

Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Thoughts and memories may be shared at hhhfunerals.com.