Charles Chuck W. Cunningham

Charles W. (Chuck) Cunningham passed away Monday, February 10. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rebecca Barker Cunningham, to whom he was married for 52 yrs. He is survived by his son Dr. Michael Cunningham his daughter Pamela and her husband Bob Averso, grandsons Andrew Averso and Daniel and his wife Alanna Averso, and adopted grandson Bradley Gissell, a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins, and special friends, the family of the late Fred Lawson, and Ashlea Lester.

Chuck was born in Chattanooga on May 2, 1923 and was raised in Carrollton, GA. He was an Eagle Boy Scout. After graduating from Carrollton High School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served during WWII in the Bismarck Archipelago, and in the Pacific Theater on the Islands of Guadalcanal, Munda Bougainville. He graduated from GA Tech with a degree in architecture. In 1951, he and his brother-in-law, Jim Barker, founded an architectural firm in Atlanta. Until their retirement in 1989, the firm of Barker and Cunningham designed many buildings in VA, TN, AL, FL, and GA. The firm was especially noted for its churches and religious buildings. The success of the firm was shared with their talented and devoted associates, especially that of Mrs. Linda Martin Miles. Gov. Lester Maddox appointed Chuck to serve on the GA State Board of Examination and Registration of Architects. He was a member of the Architectural Institute of America. He was a Shriner and a Mason. Chuck was a member of Sandy Springs Methodist Church and the Apelles Sunday School Class. In Jan. 2007, he moved to Cumming to be near his daughter and her family. He joined the Cumming First U. Meth. Church.

Chuck was extremely generous with his resources, his time, and even his life. In 1965 he donated a kidney to his brother Bill during the pioneering stages of organ transplantation. He touched the lives of many people with his generosity and philanthropy, always insisting on anonymity. He was respected and loved by many people, and he will be deeply missed. The funeral services will be held Sunday, February 16 at 2:00 at Sandy Springs Chapel, 201 Mount Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, GA with Rev. Kathy Stasko officiating. Visitation will be at Sandy Springs Chapel on Saturday, Feb 15 between the hours of 1:00-4:00 PM. Interment to be announced.