Jerald William Cunningham

Jerald William Cunningham was born in a charming farmhouse on St. Marys Ridge on October 7, 1945. The 5th of 11 children, he had kind, crystal blue eyes, and a mischievous grin. Life was simpler then, and until his passing on April 4, 2022, after a long battle with Parkinson s disease, he would reminisce about butchering hogs and bailing hay. He made his home in Pennsboro, West Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Ruth and Ralph Cunningham, his beloved sisters Doris, Donna Jean, and Sandra Jo, and his younger brothers Rickie, Bud & Nelson. He is survived by his adoring children, their spouses, and his grandchildren, Melissa, Jon, Chess and Vizcaya Phillips as well as Jeremy, Paula, Collin and Clay Greathouse. He is also survived by his dear sisters Sue, Lynn, Lois, and Candy, and many much-loved nieces and nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Jerald had a lifelong love of ramps, cornbread and beans, 3 Musketeers bars, Pepsi, and deer meat. He loved to sit on his front porch with a glass of sweet tea (sometimes an Old Milwaukee), watching the passersby and talking with everyone.
Blessed with a green thumb like no other, he took pride in sharing the bounty of his garden with anyone and everyone. He was always the first to show up and the last to leave when someone needed help, whether working in the hayfield, patching a roof, building fences, or anything else on behalf of his neighbors and community.
One of his favorite things to do was go hunting with his son, Jeremy. In his later years, when Jeremy would get a deer first, his family all knew this secretly annoyed him and made him proud at the same time. Jerald and Jeremy would share the deer with the old folks in the community. He would often make deer chili and distribute it to elderly friends in need.
Jerald s selfless personality inspired his daughter to go to college and get her Master s Degree in Social Work. His legacy of giving back to those in need will continue through their shared belief that helping others is how you find happiness and peace. Jerald would give the shirt off of his back and the last bit of food he had in need and often times did. He would always remind those around him that obstacles in the path are not obstacles; they are the path.
Jerald Cunningham was a very proud veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and later discovered he was a central character in the book Kimchee Days by Timothy V. Gatto. Jerald s celebration of life will include full military honors which he valiantly earned. His experience affected the rest of his life after his selfless service.
Friends may pay their respects to Jerald and his family at noon on April 11th at Ingram Funeral Home in St. Marys, West Virginia. A celebration will begin at 2 PM, with Pastor Bud Corbin officiating, followed by a procession to Maple Lane Cemetery. He will be laid to rest next to his Uncle Charlie. An online guest register is available at www.ingramfh.com.