Mary Cunningham

Mary Ann Cole Ford Cunningham of Sherwood, AR passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021. She was born July 8, 1937 in Ruston, LA to James Fred “Chief” Cole and Mary Izez Moncrief Cole. She was raised in El Dorado, Arkansas, graduated from El Dorado High School in 1955, briefly attended Louisiana Tech and graduated from Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas in 1963 with a BSA in Education.

She is preceded in death by her parents and a son Thomas Edward “Ned” Cunningham. She is survived by her husband Thomas E. Cunningham of 55 years, son James Gary Ford of Junction City, Arkansas, grandson Steven James (Kelsey) Ford of Beebe, AR, granddaughter Laura Ann (Josh) Wagner of North Little Rock, brother James Fred Cole of Broken Arrow, OK. Also survived by sisters-in-law Terry (Tom) Reinagel, Anne (Bill) Awald, Marge Cunningham, brother-in-law Patrick (Cheryl) all of Buffalo, New York. Sisters-in-law Marie Kendall of Palm Harbor, FL and Carol (Tim) Robinson of Athens, GA and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann taught second grade at Little Rock Air Force Base Elementary for 5 years and second grade at Seventh Street Elementary for 16 years. After spending 21 years in the classroom, she was a volunteer aide to the Recovery Room Secretary at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, followed by two years as Operating Room Scheduling Secretary. She was then employed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at ACH Orthopedic Office as Secretary/Receptionist for ten years retiring in 2003.

Mrs. Cunningham was an active member in NLR First United Methodist Church serving as United Methodist Women Unit President 2009-2010, member and co-ordinator of UMW Jo Cruse Circle and a long-standing member of Lakewood UMC Circle #4 then Mary/Martha Circle.

Mary Ann was active in a number of organizations including Life Member National Education Association, Teachers Sorority Pi Chapter Alpha Delta Kappa, Life Member Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, Church Women United: Past State Secretary, past State Treasurer, past Central AR North Unit President and Central AR North Unit Treasurer & Ecumenical Celebrations Co-ordinator. She had a host of friends and Sisters in Christ.

She loved to travel, watch movies, TV westerns, basketball, football and baseball World Series games.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 6701 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock or charity of your choice.

Viewing will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. A private graveside will be at Rest Hills Memorial Park.

State of AR COVID-19 directives: Face coverings required.  Maintain social distancing.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home , 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.