G. Ernest Cunningham

Biography: G. Ernest Cunningham, former Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives and long-serving member, before turning to community development and lobbying, died on June 11, 2024, in Little Rock. He was 87.
Ernest grew up in Barton, Arkansas, and attended the University of Arkansas. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, serving a term as president. He graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1960, and returned to Helena, where he worked for Cunningham, Inc (previously known as Cunningham Butane Gas Company) for many years, first with his father, Gordon, and later with his brother, Joe Tom. He was a proud member of the Democratic Party, and he represented Helena-West Helena and part of eastern Arkansas in the Arkansas House of Representatives, serving from 1969 to 1999. After, he became a lobbyist, where his clients included Arkansas Health Care Association, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Arkansans For Better Schools.
Ernest spent many hours working to improve the quality of life for all in Helena, Phillips County, and the Delta, being instrumental in the development of the Helena-West Helena-Phillips County Port Authority, the Helena River Park, the Delta Cultural Center, the Civil War Trail as a member of the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, KIPP Delta Public Schools, and the restoration of several historic sites in Helena.
He was humbled by many honors, including induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame, the Phillips County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and others.
Things he loved: his family, his church, Helena-West Helena, politics, Arkansas, Razorback sports (especially football), horse racing, hunting, fishing, reading, history, travel, an ocean view, dinner with family and friends, cats, dogs, wild birds, koi ponds, gardening, bragging about his grandkids, and helping others.
He was a husband, father, grandfather, mentor, business partner, and friend to so many. He will be missed dearly. He is survived by his wife, Cathy Cunningham; two sons, Cotter Cunningham (Edie Rogat) of Austin, Texas, and Baker Cunningham (Ashley Cunningham) of Little Rock, Arkansas; his grandchildren: Hailey, Peyton, Truman, Will, and Walker Cunningham; and his sister-in-law Marcia Cunningham and nephews Cotten (Gwin) and Gordon Cunningham. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Lena Cotten Cunningham, and his brother, Joseph Thomas Cunningham.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Helena on June 21st at 1:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at Beth El Heritage Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to any of the following: St. John's Episcopal Church, 625 Pecan St. Helena, Arkansas 72342; Catholic High School for Boys, 6300 Father Tribou Street, Little Rock, AR 72205; or Thrive, Inc., 415 Ohio Street, Helena, AR, 72342. Arrangements are entrusted to RuebelFuneralHome.com