Claude Melton Cunningham

Claude Melton Cunningham, 92, of Daleville, Va., and formerly of Clifton Forge, Va., died on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 26, 2009, at The Glebe. Born July 23, 1917, in Clifton Forge to the late Romanuel Victor and Ressie Wilson Cunningham, he remained a lifelong resident of Clifton Forge. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Mr. Cunningham returned to Clifton Forge to join his wife and start a career as a merchant and a Chesapeake and Ohio locomotive engineer. Mr. Cunningham's career spanned a lifetime of service to Clifton Forge Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and member of the Men's Bible Class. He was a 50 year member of the Clifton Forge Masonic Lodge No. #166 A.F. & A.M. and was the last surviving founding member of the Highlander Hunt Club in Bath County. He retired from the railroad in 1978, but continued his involvement with his church and lodge until his health prevented him from continuing. He was one of the first residents to move into The Glebe, where he enjoyed his last years because of the wonderful care and treatment he received from their staff and Good Samaritan Hospice.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Rosalie Berger Cunningham, in October of 1994; three brothers; and one sister.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Shirley Cunningham, of Fincastle; three grandchildren, Christine Galko, of Daleville, Aaron Cunningham and wife, Michelle, of Hendersonville, N.C., and Catherine Campbell and husband, David, of Washington, D.C.; and a number of nieces and nephews. His quiet, affirmative guidance will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.
A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with the Reverend J. Glenn Linthicum officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at Nicely Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Cowpasture River Preservation Association, P.O. Box 215, Millboro, Va. 24460 or to Virginia Baptist Homes, Corporate Office, P.O. Box 191, Culpeper, Va. 22701.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.