Julie Elaine Cunningham

Julie grew up and was raised in Iola with her siblings, up until 11th grade. During this time, she gained interest in many hobbies, such as playing piano for her church, swimming, playing tennis, and fishing. She then moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she graduated from Lincoln High School. After graduation, Julie went on a blind date with Clarence Cunningham, who she married a year later at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Kansas City, Missouri. On January 4, Clarence and Julie celebrated their 60 year wedding anniversary. They enjoyed fishing together across multiple states, in different reservoirs and lakes. The family was often on the lake, typically at least 3 days a week. Additionally, they loved to travel to the Bahamas, Maui, Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas. They enjoyed going on cruises together and going to Midnight Madness. Julie and Clarence often had dinner on the ship with the Captain, and always enjoyed the excursions. They often went to Royals games, and Clarence introduced Julie to NFL later in life. Julie's favorite player was Patrick Mahomes.

Julie and Clarence welcomed their son Duane, and a year later, they had Kimberly. Julie was always a caregiver, and would have done anything for not just her children, but anyone in need. While Julie's main role was to be a mother to her children, she was also a teacher to them. Often times, her and the children would play board games such as Monopoly, Spades, Gin Rummy, Solitaire and Uno. She also enjoyed teaching her children how to cook, and basic life skills. Julie was always very involved in her children's after-school activities. Kimberly recalls her mother being at her track meets in the van, where she had her snacks and would always cheer her on and give her words of encouragement.

Julie's career included a variety of jobs, the first being a Telephone Operator for Southwestern Bell for nearly a decade. She was the first African American woman to work as a Telephone Operator for the company. She then began working for the IRS as a Data Transcriber for 5 years. Julie then began working for Avon as their fastest Data Entry Operator for around 5 years. After moving to Texas, she worked as an Executive Secretary for the Texas Highway Department. After Clarence was transferred back to Kansas City for his work, Julie worked as an Executive Secretary for FEC (Full Employment Council) up until her retirement. Later in life, she went back to school to finish her business degree at Longview Community College, and graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors.

Over the course of her life, Julie served in Bethel A.M.E. Church in Kansas City, Missouri for 60 years. Julie was a part of the fundraising committee and would often help her mother with catering within the church. Though she was not a member of the Girl Scouts committee, she took it upon herself to play a vital role in their activities. The church had an Angel Food Ministry, where Julie and her family would sponsor other families and deliver food to those families. Julie was a social person, and would always make it a point to talk with the seniors of the church, and make sure that they were well taken care of. She was very instrumental in making sure the annual cookie exchange went well. Of course, Julie would always have her cookies ready, but she would even go as far to have extra cookies ready for those that may have forgotten theirs. She was always behind the scenes making sure everything went the way it was supposed to go.

Preceding Julie in death are her parents, Harriett and Wilber Kimbrough, and her brothers Timothy and Larry White, her niece, Kelly White and her nephew, LaVandle Henderson.

Surviving her is her husband, Clarence Cunningham, her son, Duane and his wife Kyla, and her daughter, Kimberly, her sister, Janet Kimbrough, and her nephews, Timothy White, Marlon White and RaShaun Henderson. Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren, LaTearra, Dominique, Ashtin, Cheyenne, Breanna and husband Chris, Jaeden and Danae; great-grandchildren, Carter, Avery, Masai and Zion. Julie is also survived by countless nieces and nephews and other extended family members.