Cunningham

Funeral services were held Monday for Orange Alton Cunningham, 84, of Ft. Worth, who died June 17.

Pastor Alvin Pope of Calvary Church of God in Christ officiated at the service, which was held at Inspiring Temple of Praise Church in Ft. Worth, where Bishop Reginald Jordan is pastor.

Mr. Cunningham was born in Oakwood Feb. 28, 1926 to Zachariah and Julia Eagans Cunningham. He was drafted into the U.S. Army at the age of 18, and after being discharged, worked for 30 years as custodian at Will Rogers Coliseum, and retired from the city as supervisor of custodians in June 1986.

He owned his own janitorial service, and retired again from Scott Theatre. Six days before his 84th birthday, Mr. Cunningham became the oldest member of the 2010 graduating class of Buffalo high school.

As a child he attended Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Oakwood in the Plum Creek community. After moving to Ft. Worth, he served as deacon for many years at Greater St. Stephens Baptist Church and later helped his brother pastor Flardie Cunningham establish St. John Missionary Baptist Church where he served as chairman of the deacon board. Later in life, he placed his membership with his son-in-law, Apostle Cedric Adams at Hope of Glory Kingdom Ministries where he served as senior deacon until his death.

Mr. Cunningham was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Willie, all of his siblings, and his granddaughter.

Survivors are daughters Glenda Garrity and husband James of DeSoto, Mildred Marshall and Tonya Adams and husband Cedric of Ft. Worth, grandsons Demetrius Marshall, James Garrity II and wife Sonya, Jerrence Garrity and D’Anthony Adams;

Great-grandchildren Nicholas Marshall, Chassity and Destiny Garrity; Godchildren Silvia and Bernard Sterling, Jazz, Adelia and Ernest Kirk, three sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.

Pallbearers were Dwayne Atkins, Judah Haughabook, Perry Spencer, Lawrence Adams, Fredrick Grove and Joseph Medley. Honorary pallbearers were Demetrius Marshall, James Garrity II, Jerrence Garrity, D’Anthony Adams and James Garrity.

Making arrangements was Gregory W. Spencer Funeral Directors, Inc.