ESTELLE W. CUNNINGHAM

Mrs. Estelle Wells Cunningham of 628 Old Wagner Road, Petersburg, Va., was called home to serve our Lord on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014.

Estelle was born on July 30, 1933, to the late Benjamin H. and Emma J. Wells of Greensville County, Va.

Estelle was the sister of the late Willis Wells, Benjamin Wells Jr., Rebecca Tyler, Claresa Thomas, Mary Wells, Clifford Wells and Rosa Brooks. Mrs. Cunningham is survived by two siblings, Elizabeth Mason and Eva Thomas.

Estelle was a devoted member of Marmora Baptist Church where she served as a Deaconess from 1994 until her declining health.

Mrs. Cunningham was the wife of the late Manning Cunningham Jr. Her early employment was with the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation. She later retired in 1996 from the Fort Lee Child Development Center where she worked as a Dietician and served as a second mother to many.

Estelle leaves three children to cherish her memory; two daughters, Shirley Washington of Kinston, N. C., and Doraleen Wells of Kinston, N.C.; one son, Manning Cunningham III of Petersburg, Va.; five grandchildren, Anita Miller, Cherita G. Staton, Mahlik M. Cunningham, Marcus X. Cunningham and Manika M. Cunningham. Estelle also leaves three great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild to cherish her sweet memory along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Estelle was loved by many and will be greatly missed. She had the smile and personality of an Angel.

Funeral services for Mrs. Estelle Cunningham will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, at the Marmora Baptist Church, 2901 Exter Mill Road, Church Road, VA 23822, with the Rev. Victor McLaughlin, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. On the day of the service, remains will rest at the church at 1 p.m. until the hour of service.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the residence, 628 Old Wagner Road. Petersburg, Va., and is also asking them to assemble there on the day of the service at 12:45 p.m.

Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com.

Professional funeral services have been entrusted to the staff of the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Ave., Petersburg, Va. (North Dinwiddie County). Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson Sr., Funeral director, 804-732-5959 and 804-834-3330.