Geraldine K Cunningham

Geraldine Kesler Cunningham, nicknamed “Deanie”, was born in Madison County, Georgia on December 16, 1929. She was raised on the Kesler family farm along with her seven brothers and two sisters. After high school, she worked in Athens at Michael Brothers Department Store on Clayton Street and met her husband, John Cunningham, who worked across the street at Dick Ferguson’s Clothing Store. They were married on July 30, 1950 and raised three children…Pam, Tami and Mark. Deanie enjoyed being a homemaker while Johnny opened his business, John Cunningham’s Men’s Wear in the Beechwood Shopping Center. St. James United Methodist Church was an integral part of their family life. Deanie was a member of Circle #3 and that group of 15 women as well as her Wesley Fellowship Sunday School Class became her good friends. She was also a member of Rose and Dahlia Garden Club for many years.

Deanie’s greatest joy was her family. She was affectionally known as “DeDe” to her three granddaughters and three great grandchildren. In 2016, Deanie moved to Sandy Springs, Georgia to live closer to her children. For the last three years, she was a resident at Vernon Springs where she was lovingly cared for by their staff and Trinity Hospice.

Preceded in death by her husband, John Mell Cunningham, her son, John Mark Cunningham, her father, Roy Lee Kesler, her mother, Lurlene Griffeth Kesler, her seven brothers, John, Truett, Billy, Donnie, Austin, Buddy, Wendell Kesler and sister, Janelle Kesler Vickery. She is survived by her sister, Jane Kesler Bramlett of Commerce; and two daughters Pam Cunningham Hendee (Bo) of Atlanta and Tami Cunningham Kellogg (Jim) of Atlanta; and daughter-in-law, Ann Cunningham (Ft. Ogelthorpe). She is survived by three granddaughters, Meg Hendee Quigley (Blake) of Smyrna, Allie Hendee Burleson (Alan) of Atlanta and Emily Ann Kellogg currently serving as a missionary in Osaka Japan; three great grandchildren, Blythe Quigley, Wynn Quigley and Elkin Quigley.

The service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, October 25, at St. James United Methodist Church, 111 West Lake Drive, Athens, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made Trinity Hospice Care of Georgia, 3660 Cedarcrest Rd., Ste. 120, Ackworth, GA 30101.