Norris "Ham" Cunningham

Services for Norris “Ham” Cunningham, 95, of Palestine will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the Memory Lane Baptist Church with the Rev. Ross Cunningham and the Rev. Edward Davis officiating. Burial will be in Land Of Memory Cemetery under the direction of Bailey and Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.Mr. Cunningham died Wednesday at Palestine Regional Medical Center. He was born June 22, 1912 in Killeen to Richard Burks and Ada Alda Ellison Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham was the oldest surviving member of Memory Lane Baptist Church, and an ordained deacon for over 52 years. He was a trainmaster and conductor for Missouri-Pacific Railroad, and a member of the United Trainsmens Union.He was preceded in death by two Christian loving wives, Mildred Cunningham and Pauline Cunningham.Mr. Cunningham is survived by three sons, Richard D. Cunningham of Palestine, the Rev. Ross Cunningham and wife Beverly of Milano, and David Cunningham and wife Kerri of Gause; two stepsons, Aurbin Dickey of Baton Rouge, La. and Bubba Dickey of Conroe; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.Pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Morris, Weldon “Buddy” Taylor, Harry Bower and O.L. Sharon.Condolence calls will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Bailey and Foster Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to The Master’s Gateway Ministry, P.O. Box 34, Milano, Texas 76556; or Cartmell Home for Aged, 2212 W. Reagan St., Palestine, Texas 75801.