Mary Sue Mullen Cunningham

She graduated from P.W. Moore High School in Elizabeth City and worked briefly during World War II in a naval shipyard in Norfolk, Va. before moving to New York City.

While in New York, she met William Cunningham and the two were married June 24, 1949, coming together in a truly unbreakable bond. The union produced two children, Kent and Roberta.

She was a devoted mother taking care of her children and volunteering in their PTA, taking part in community activities and serving as a parent member of the New York Department of Education.

Mary was also a faithful member of the Union Baptist Church in Harlem serving as both a choir member and an usher for many years.

Later through the influence of her husband, and continuing on the path of faithfulness from her upbringing, she joined the Church of God of Prophecy in the Bronx and served as an usher, Sunday school teacher, arts and crafts director and coordinated various plays, performances and activities at the church.

In August 1968, Mary and her family relocated to Miami, Florida. She and her husband immediately connected with a local Church of God of Prophecy and they were instrumental in helping integrate the Miami 19th Avenue church. Mary faithfully served as a pastor’s wife as William lead congregations at the Church of God of Prophecy in Opa-locka, West Hollywood and on an interim basis at 19th Avenue.

Around this time Mary began to take her life as a servant of God to another level by expanding her work as a missionary and leader both nationally and internationally.

She participated in numerous Ladies’ Retreats through the Church of God of Prophecy and was one of the first Black women to serve on the retreat’s staff. Mary was also a longtime member, and key in the creation, of the Ladies Spiritual Uplift International Ministries in Florida and was the director of hospitality for the organization for decades. “Sis. C,” as she was known by many, was also leader of the church’s women’s missionary band.

Her mission work took her across the world as she traveled to the Holy Land, China, the United Kingdom and across the United States praying and witnessing to as many people as she could touch. She also traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and particularly in Haiti where she traveled multiple times and gave so much that she often returned with just a smile and the clothes on her back.

Mary was also active in her community serving as a member of the North County Citizen’s Association and as a volunteer grandmother at North County K-8 Center.

Mrs. Cunningham was passionate about working with young children and was a longtime Sunday school and vacation bible school instructor and organizer. She also was a counselor and cook at the Church of God of Prophecy’s state and international youth camp and was a representative for the international youth camp.

She also had a deep love for working with the elderly and “senior saints.” For decades she was a volunteer and activities director at the Breezy Acres nursing home in Miami Gardens.

Beyond her love for both the young and old, Mary had a deep devotion for mentoring young women and for planning and organizing weddings, receptions, teas and various elaborate celebrations. She paid strict attention to detail and took painstaking care whether she was sewing a dress or hot gluing a table decoration.

Mary was a devoted prayer warrior, a skillful seamstress, a loving friend, family member and unceasing devotee to the gospel and word of God. She was always willing to give 110 percent of herself no matter how she chose to serve.

She mentored and advised countless saints and developed myriad official and unofficial godchildren, daughters and sisters over the years.

On November 22, 2015, Mary went to join her late husband and her God in glory.She was 89 years old.

Mary leaves to mourn a son, Kent; a daughter, Roberta and her husband, Elder Alonzo Dixon; two grandsons, Ian and Lance Dixon; two sisters, Gloria Mullen of New York City Evelyn McPherson and one brother, Wesley Mullen of Elizabeth City NC; three sisters-in-law, Dorcas Bain of Hallandale, Florida, Sandra and Brenda Cunningham of Nassau, Bahamas; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, “adopted” children and friends.