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A funeral service celebrating the life of Herbert Milin Cunningham, 94, of Anniston, will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Parker Memorial Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am until the time of the service in the Church Parlor. Interment will follow at Forestlawn Gardens. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Miller Funeral Home of Oxford. After a brief illness, Mr. Cunningham passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024. He passed away surrounded by his children. Herbert was born in Collinsville, Alabama, on July 24, 1929. He was the second of six children born to Thompson C. Cunningham and Susie Mae Gallman Cunningham. He graduated from Collinsville High School in 1947 and Jacksonville State College in 1950. He then taught school for ten years. While teaching school, he had various other jobs, including construction. After teaching, he turned construction and homebuilding into his life's career. He owned Phillips Manufacturing Company for many years, building houses, nursing homes, apartments, condos, and Days Inn Motels. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Elizabeth Kerr Cunningham; an infant son, Rodney Lynn Cunningham; his parents, T.C. and Susie Mae Cunningham; two sisters, Joy Cunningham Albea and Joanne Cunningham Gunnin; and three brothers, Wayne Cunningham, Carey Cunningham, and Vernon Cunningham; and his beloved dog, Buddy. He is survived by three daughters, Donna Cunningham Stephens (David) of Anniston, Janet Cunningham Dobbins (Joe) of Anniston, Ellen Cunningham Hughes (Jerry) of Birmingham, a son, Keith Cunningham (Karen) of Odenville, eleven grandchildren – Amy Stephens McAmis (Greg), Lt. Col. Alan Stephens (April), Alyson Dobbins Mims (Scott), David Dobbins (April), Stephanie Cunningham Kent (Keith), Ben Cunningham, Laura Ellen Mahan (Luke), Matthew Higgins, Cassie Cunningham, Garrett Cunningham, and Hilary Cunningham, five step-grandchildren – Christopher Hughes, Zac Hughes, Isaac Hughes, Ani Hughes, and Will Hughes, fourteen great- grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was an active member of Parker Memorial Baptist Church, serving as a deacon, member of the building committee, and Church Treasurer for 26 years. He went on mission trips to Honduras for nine years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army Advisory Board and was President of the Home Builders Association of Anniston. He served as President of the Donoho School Board of Directors, was on the AmSouth Bank Board of Directors for 17 years, and on the Cheaha Bank Board of Directors for 22 years. Herbert was a hard-working but fun-loving man, determined to provide for his family to the best of his ability. He faced many challenges growing up due to a childhood accident, but he overcame those obstacles and succeeded in almost everything he attempted. He learned the value of hard work and instilled that same work ethic in his children. He was a practical joker, too, always ready for a prank. He loved to read and work crossword puzzles. He had a quick mind and a sharp wit. He taught his children the importance of family, hard work, and doing what is right. His children and grandchildren have many of the same characteristics; his legacy will live on through them. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to the Parker Memorial Baptist Church Touching Our World Missions Offering or Pioneers.org/give (account number 111389), which supports extended family members on the mission field. The family wishes to thank the compassionate caregivers of Heavenly Host of Angels and Enhabit Home Health and Hospice for their excellent care.

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Mr. Herbert Milin Cunningham

July 24, 1929 - February 25, 2024