of West Helena, AR
June 2, 1935 - May 18, 2017
Lena Cotten Cunningham, age 81, of West Helena, Arkansas was born on June 2, 1935 in Helena, Arkansas to Ida Blaine Cunningham and Thomas Gordon Cunningham of Wabash, Arkansas. At an early age Lena and her family moved to Barton, Arkansas, where she graduated in 1953. Lena was a cheerleader, played basketball, and was Homecoming Queen for the Barton Bears.
After graduation from Barton, Lena attended Ole Miss for one year and was a Rebelette. After that year she transferred to the University of Arkansas where she became an avid Razorback Fan her whole life. At the university she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority where she made lifetime friends with many of her sorority sisters.
After college graduation with a degree in elementary education, Lena moved to Dallas where she taught for one year and then moved to Memphis teaching there for 10 years before moving back to Phillips County. She taught at Jefferson Elementary in Helena, Marvell Academy, and DeSoto School where she taught for over 25 years until her retirement. During those years at DeSoto School, she would leave there at three and then finish the day at Something Special where, along with Bettye Howe and Gloria Tappan, her partners, she enjoyed a career in the gift shop business. After the partners sold Something Special, she continued to work part time until she was 80.
Lena enjoyed visiting with her friends and family, going to football games, playing tennis, bridge, and reading and swimming in her pool. She so much enjoyed her nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews as they grew up around her and thought of them as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially delighted in traveling the east coast showing her nephew Cotton all the historical sites because they both enjoyed history so much.
Lena was a member of the Cleburne Avenue Presbyterian Church for 67 years and held a perfect attendance in Explorers Bible Study for 16 years.
Lena was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother, Ernest (Cathy) Cunningham of Helena, and their sons Cotter (Edie) Cunningham of Austin, Texas, and Baker (Ashley) Cunningham of Little Rock; Joe Tom (Marcia) Cunningham of West Helena, and their sons, Cotten (Gwin) Cunningham of Little Rock, and Gordon (Ashley) Cunningham of Atlanta, Georgia and West Helena. She is also survived by her 10 great-nieces and great-nephews: Hailey, Peyton, and Truman Cunningham; Will and Walker Cunningham; Blaine Cunningham; Kendall and Liz Cunningham and Katelyn and Sarah Lane Riddell; and two special friends: Don Hudson and Rita Ann Johnson.
Special thanks to: Berenda Pride, Lois Suggs, Lavette Lamar, and Sherrell Gist who provided excellent care during her illness. Also special thanks to the fine staff at Briarwood Rehab and Nursing Home and Kindred at Home Hospice Care.
A memorial service for Lena Cunningham will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2017 at Cleburne Avenue Presbyterian Church with reception to follow. Reverend Don Montgomery will officiate.
Pallbearers are Cotter, Baker, Cotten and Gordon Cunningham, Bill Howe, Tracy Griffin, Don Hudson, Shelby Snyder and Rita Ann Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. M.A. McDaniel, Michael Schwantz, Phillip Gregory, The Ladies Birthday Club, and members of the Cleburne Avenue Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials me sent to: Explorers' Bible Study, P.O. Box 425, Dickson, TN 37056-0425, DeSoto School, P.O. Box 2807, West Helena, AR 72390, or KIPP Delta Public Schools, 415 Ohio St., Helena, AR 72342.
Service will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571.
Mr. Joe just wanted to say I'm so sorry for your lost. She was a sweet lady . Praying for your family God has her in his arms .
To all the Cunningham's,
So sorry to hear of Miss Lena's passing . She was my fourth grade teacher. I worked for her and Mrs . Tappen and Mrs. Howe after school hauling stuff to Something Special during the Season Changes. I will always remember her.
Joe Tom, Marcia, Cotton, Gordon and Ashley,
Lena was God's precious daughter. She was an extraordinary woman and I was blessed beyond measure she crossed my path during this earthly walk. I will always hold fond memories of her wonderful personality and her contagious smile in my heart as I know you all will also. May those precious memories sustain you during this time.
I am so sorry to hear about Lena. I had not even heard that she was ill. I have so many good memories that include her. I pray that God will hold ypur hand as you gieve for your loss.
Joe, Ernest and family, So sorry to hear of Lena's passing. I remember when I was 13 or 14 and Lena was about 16, we were partners in a golf tournament. We didn't win, but we came in third. Celeste and I send prayers for your families.
Pat Kelly
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I loved Lena and will miss her.
We will miss Lena very much. She was loved by all. I have many fond memories of our family visits over the years. She will always be remembered. My sincere condolences.
I am so sorry to hear of Miss Lena's passing. She was my 4th grade teacher and my favorite teacher of all my years at school. She was a wonderful lady and I'll never forget her. My sincere condolences to her family.
Such a sweet lady who always showed so much interest in others. She will be missed. Prayers and love for all The Cunningham family.
Lena was always so friendly with a smile on her face. I was impressed that she continued to ask how things were going with a genuine interest. I'm thinking about each family member at this time of loss.
I am so sad that we have lost agreat ladybut on the other hand I am happy for her to finally be at Peace. Shw will be missed by so many and she was an influence to so many yong children that she taught over the years.....
Praying for the family. I got to no Mrs. Lena she was always so sweet to me and my daughter. Very sweet lady we will miss you.
Ernest and Cathy -- Joe Tom snd Marsha----- we are so sorry to hear that our friend Lena has passed away. We knew her for so many years as a sweet wonderful person a great teacher and a wonderful friend . Still. In your grief please know that she will long be remembered every so kindly as someone very special.
Vic and Janet Juengel
Prayers to all family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear about Lena. She was a wonderful person, excellent teacher, and gracious individual. She will be missed by many. Prayers for family and friends.
Ashley sorry to hear about your husband and your Aunt. Your family are in my thoughts always.
Prayers go out for the Cunningham Family
So many fond memories of Lena and all the Cunninghams! She touched so many lives and was so loved. Blessings! Kathy
Lena taught my 3 children at Desota and she made a great impact on them. They all loved her and she loved them. A very lovely and kind lady.
Prayers for all of Lena's familyðŸ™
Joe Tom and Marsha, I am so very sorry to hear of Lena's death. I remember our tennis days and visiting with her at Something Special. She was such a wonderful, generous and kind person. God's peace and comfort to you and all of your family.
We are so saddened to here of Miss Lena's passing. She was a very sweet neighbor who always had a smile and kind words to share.
Got to know Lena riding home with her from Memphis for the weekends. Loved her coming by to see Mom and Dad! Looking forward to seeing her in our Father's house!!
I always loved Miss Lena. As my 4th grade teacher, she was so elegant, so tough and also, so kind. I used to love to come home to Helena and walk in Something Special and see her. She always walked around the counter and gave me a big hug. What an amazing lady!
Lena made learning fun and would always reinforce the practical reasons for education, to open our lives to the potential we had and the possibilities that awaited us.
Mrs. Cunningham was a wonderful teacher and role model. I remember being a little 4th grader in her class so vividly. My heart goes out to her family. I know you've lost a precious person in your lives. May the Lord walk with you all.
Miss Lena had to be my favorite teacher ever. She was kind and all about helping me learn life lessons along with academics. She saw me for what I could be instead of what I was at the time. I will never forget her. I enjoyed stopping by Something Special for a visit when I would come back to West Helena. May she Rest In Peace.
Such a wonderful Lady she will be greatly missed praying for your family.
On behalf of the Sanders Family, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Cunningham Family: Robert Sanders, J.C. Sanders, Melinda Bennett, Jackie S. Sanders
Joe Tom & family, so sorry to hear of Lena passing away!! I know she will be missed by all of you & all of students. May God wrap His arms around all of you!
Mr. Joe Tom and Marsha, Am very sorry to hear about Ms Lena passing. She was a very sweet and loving person. We will miss her but she is in a better place. The Lord has received another angel. We know she is looking down on us. We love you both.
She was always a very sweet lady. Always nice to everyone.
Lena was my fourth grade teacher, and I loved her so much! I also had the privilege of working with her at Something Special. She was a very special lady, and will be greatly missed.
So sorry to hear about Lena, and our prayers are with you all. She was a sweet lady, and will be missed by everyone that was blessed to have her in their life. Love, Henry and Billie Sue Rohrscheib
Loved teacher and loved lady lost if a great lady and great example.
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. So many memories run through my mind when reflecting upon Ms Lena. She was a gem!
You will be greatly missed. I still tell stories to my children about you... May you rest in peace!! You will be greatly missed. God bless the family and all the many people who have loved and will miss you
Miss Lena was my favorite teacher. She inspired me in so many ways. Very special lady who was dear to my heart. She will be greatly missed. â¤
My heart n prayers are with the family, I'm so sorry to hear ths, she was a beautiful lady inside n out..wil always be remembered n loved
On behalf of the Phillips County Assessors Office,
Our Heartfelt Sympathy to the Cunningham Family
Dear Cunningham Family and Friends,
I had the honor of having Ms. Lena as a teacher in school. I enjoyed my learning experience very much with her. She was always kind.
My heart goes out to you all at this time.
My heartfelt sympathy,
Jackie S. Sanders
Joe Tom , Earnest, and your family,
I am so sorry to hear about Lena , she was a special person and always so friendly to everyone. Helena and all of us will miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Sincerely,
Linda
I am deeply sorry about Lena's passing. She was a very special person to me and to many others I am sure. She will be deeply missed for a long time. Phillips county will not be the same with her not being there. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
She was my teacher at Desoto. I was saddened to hear of her passing. She touched many life's with her grace. She will be deeply missed. Prayers for the family.
Lena was a fabulous friend, teacher and community activist. as past president of Desoto Academy Lena's dedication and leadership in education was always there and appreciated by all. Everything she touched was better by her presence. Ernest & Joe Tom and families you are in the Mayer family thoughts and prayers. Jim & Diane Mayer
She was one of my favorite teachers! I loved her jewelry, her shoes, her voice, the way she smelled....everything about her. She was always so kind to me. My family has been praying for her, & now we know she is at peace.