Milton C. Cunningham

Milton Cunningham, our dad, was born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama. Born to Letha King (mother), and our grandmother. Our dad never met his biological father, but he did have a strong male figure in his life from his stepfather. He had an older brother nicknamed “Head” who passed in his mid-30’s.

Living in Alabama in his early years, Dad was known to everyone there as “MC”. I can still hear my grandma calling our dad MC. Dad worked at the Quarry after his stepfather was no longer able to do so and he took on his position. This way there would still be money

coming into the house and bills would still get paid. He taught us so much throughout our lives about how important it is to take care of your family. Times got hard but with God’s grace he always persevered.

Dad attended East Highland School and graduated in 1956. He met our mother Lois Cunningham in high school. He would often tell us the story of how he got my mom to go steady with him. He told us he would see her in the halls of the school and thought she was the prettiest young lady he ever laid his eyes on. He knew to date her he had to meet certain standards so her parents would let her go out with him. He saved up his money and bought a car.

Dad went to visit mom and asked her if any of the other guys she talked to wanted to go steady with her. She said yes. Then he asked, “Did you ever accept any of them?,” and she said, “No”. He then proceeded to ask her to go steady and she accepted and they’ve been together ever since. They married in July of 1958 and have been married for 68 years.

Dad went into the Air Force and was honorably discharged on October 2, 1958, and served his country for four years. Any money made went back home to care for his family. Once dad completed the military, he and mom moved to Washington, DC. He went through a few jobs until he was employed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Department of Rail Service where he could begin to make the type of money he

wanted to make for his family. Dad drove the bus for many years until he was promoted to supervisor over Metrorail. He worked with Metro for 34 years and retired in November 1996 to care for our mother.

He loved bowling and was in a bowling league for years. His favorite football team is the Commanders and he loved classic cars. He found a church home where he and mom could both go to together and serve God. He joined the men’s choir there and participated in church activities. Dad outlived many of his friends that he hung out with but gained new friends at church.

Milton is survived by Lois Cunningham (wife); and his children: Gregory Cunningham, Stacy Meade, Kelly Cunningham and Rodney Peebles.

Dad has a total of five grandchildren; Andrew Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Christopher Taylor, Jamilah Jones, James Jones, Michael Jones, and Akia, and he has nine great-grandchildren; Matthew Taylor, III, Andrew Taylor, Jr., Saniya Blakely, Madison Taylor, Mariah Taylor, Jaylon Taylor, Trinity, Nasir, and Owen.

Dad, we will always love you and forever hold you in our hearts.