Tyrone Kenny Cunningham

Tyrone Kenny Cunningham was born in Washington, DC on August 4, 1940 to the late Thomas Cunningham and Evelyn Theresa Mattison Cunningham. He started his Christian journey when he was baptized at Southern Baptist Church. In 1972, under the pastorate of Reverend Leon Lipscombe, he joined Allen Chapel A. M. E. Church. For a short period, he was choir member and sang with the “Echoes”. He was educated in the schools; Birney Elementary, Douglas, Junior High, Phelps Vocational and Anacostia Senior High. As a student, he enjoyed the training in Wood Shop and Agriculture.

He was taught to always show respect for the older members of his in community. In his role as the older brother, Tyrone always tried to protect his younger siblings. He was a happy child even though life was not always easy.

At age 21, Tyrone became a licensed taxi driver to help support his family. He continued to drive for more than twenty years. He often told Sondra that he was a “professional driver” as he drove her to more than 40 years of countless PTA meetings, board meetings and shopping trips. In addition to driving his taxi cab, he drove a shuttle bus from the National Institutes of Health, trained and received a Commercial Driver’s License with Greyhound Bus Company and later used that license to transport students who resided at Bolling Air Force Base to various schools in the Metropolitan area.

Tyrone was devoted to his family and loved attending the biennial family reunions and actively participated in planning several of the reunions held here Washington. His many cousins, aunts, uncles and other relatives loved him in return. He had many interests and hobbies. For him a “good day” was one spent on the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, or any other body of water on a fishing boat. On days when the fishing was not easy, the wharf was still open to fill his cooler with Spot, Black Bass, Trout and Porgies. Tyrone was also an avid sports fan. At times, games were watched from three or four television sets in order to avoid missing a single moment of any game. He was particularly fond of The Redskins, the Wizards, and the Nationals and on game days he wore the team’s shirts and caps. After retiring from the United Postal Service in 1992, he enrolled in a writing class and wrote several short stories about Troy. The great “American” novel was his goal.

In 1972, he was raised as a Master Mason in Social Lodge, # 1, F&AM, PHA. In addition, he was an active and dedicated member of the District of Columbia Autism Society for more than thirty years.

On April 7, 2015, Tyrone was called from labor to reward.

Tyrone is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Sondra Kinder Cunningham; his daughters, Patrice Cunningham Stroman (Clyde), Jeannine Cunningham Lancaster (Frank) and one son, Troy Malcolm Cunningham. He was predeceased by his daughter, Kimdra Cunningham and his parents; Thomas and Evelyn Mattison Cunningham Thomas. Also left to cherish his memory are his two sisters and one brother, Gloria Dale Byrd, Thomasine Matthews and Donald Cunningham, one step-brother, William Thomas, Jr., and step sisters, Anastasia Johnson and Theresa Govan; two brothers - in laws; Andrew J. Kinder(Virginia) of Bradenton, FL and Willie Kinder of Dallas, TX. He will be forever cherished by four grandchildren, Latisha Lancaster, Janea Webb and Stephon Tobe, and Lee Lancaster; two great grandchildren; Isaac and Jania Webb, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and host of other relatives and friends.