Margaret Jones Cunningham

Our gentle beloved mother, Margaret Jones Cunningham, passed away peacefully on November 9 at home, three days before her 100th birthday. Born In Lexington, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Rev Fred Pruitt Jones and Beulah Cotton Jones. Margaret attended high schools in Kentucky and Florida, and also attended Eastern University.

As the daughter of a “traveling” Methodist minister in Bourbon County, she met and later married her loving husband George Lee Cunningham of Ruddles Mills in Sebring, Florida, on May 22, 1945. He preceded her in death after 67 years of marriage as did her brother, Fred Jones of Jacksonville, Florida and a grandson.

As the wife of a career military officer, Margaret’s life was filled with constant change and travels. With two young children in tow, she sailed with other families from Seattle to Tokyo in 1950 to join her husband only to be forced to return home after six months with the onset of the Korean War and the wounding of her husband, who returned separately. The family were later stationed in Bangor, Maine, Heidelberg, Germany, Washington, DC and finally Tampa, Florida before returning to live in Paris in 1972. During these years, she was active with the Officer’s Wives Club, PTA, bowling leagues, and her church, supporting her family with their many transitions.

Once in Paris, Margaret became active in the Church of God. Together with her husband, they formed the “Singing Instruments”, a gospel quartet comprised of the late Morris Guy, the late Carl Godwin, Bill Tipton and David Mefford. She played piano after adding gospel accompaniment to her extensive repertoire, and George played bass. They performed all over Kentucky during the 70s, mostly in churches, and even cut an album of their songs.

Margaret is survived by daughter Norma Jean Corrales and son Clay Cunningham, both of Paris, and son Paul Jones Cunningham of Lakeland, Florida. She is also survived by three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Private burial will be held at the Millersburg Cemetery. Hinton-Turner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.hintonturner.com