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Alberta Cunningham Obituary

Brought to you by The House of Day Funeral Service

Alberta Cunningham

Toledo, Ohio

September 26, 1918 - December 8, 2020

Alberta Cunningham Obituary

Willie Alberta Turk Cunningham was born Sept. 26, 1918 in Evergreen, AL. She was the only child of William and Bessie (Morast) Turk.

On Aug. 25, 1935, she married David Cunningham and soon thereafter, they decided to leave he segregated South in pursuit of better job opportunies. David set out alone, and spent time in Cleveland and Cincinnati, OH, before landing in Toledo, where construction jobs were plentiful. He worked day and night, sending money back home to Alberta while putting money away so that she would have a home when he was able to send for her, which he did within a
few months.

By the 1940s, the couple owned several local businesses, including “The Spot,” a neighborhood carryout and adjoining sandwich shop located on Norwood and Lawrence; a beauty shop; and rental properties in the North End.

She received a degree in Cosmetology, with a Manager’s License, from the Erma Lee School of Beauty in Cleveland, OH. She graduated from the former Conecuh County Training School in Evergreen.

After 15 years of marriage, they were blessed with the first of three children. They decided to close the businesses so that she could devote herself fully to the family that she was told she would never have. Her love was so deep and overflowing that there was never any sibling rivalry for her attention or affection.

In addition to her work as a hairdresser, she held positions over the years as a salesclerk at the Florence Shop, a women’s boutique; sold insurance; was a receptionist at Litton Industries and held a notary license

She is survived by her loving son and long-time caregiver, John Cunningham of Toledo; daughter Linda (Dr. David) Ballard of Duluth, GA; grandchildren William Cunningham II of Atlanta; Julian Cunningham of Miami, Florida; John Cunningham II (Florence) of Toledo; Jonathan Cunningham of Atlanta; Atty. Jennifer Ballard Croft (Cory) of Chicago, IL, and Atty. David Ballard III (Atty. Jamie) of Mableton, GA and Robert Parker of Toledo. Great-grandsons include DeVonne and John Cunningham III of Toledo and Emerson Ballard IV of Mableton. Great-granddaughters include Deneicia Cunningham of Atlanta, Blake Ballard of Mableton and Caris Croft of Chicago; great-great granddaughter Vanessa Cunningham-Edmonds of Atlanta and daughter-in-law Mae Cunningham Love of Toledo. Step daughter, Mary Gant Hamel: Nieces Etta Quinn, Cynthia Ellis, Patricia Mitchell, Delores Whaley.

Special thanks to Peggy Descamps, John’s girlfriend and someone we love and regard as family, who has been by his side for many years, helping to provide tender and loving care until the end.

Special thanks also to wonderful people at Memory Lane Care Services for their many years of compassionate love, care and guidance.(Patrica Harris, Gail, Brook, Kenny, Janice and many others)

She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years; her beloved firstborn, William; both parents, and five half-siblings from her father’s first marriage.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Alberta Cunningham hosted by The House of Day Funeral Service.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Alberta Cunningham.