The funeral services for the late Mrs. Ella Virginia "Ella V." Cunningham of 465 Railroad Street, Poulan, Georgia, who departed this life on Friday, November 12, 2021 at Phoebe Worth Medical Center in Sylvester, Georgia, will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from the Bright Morning Star Baptist Church Cemetery in Sylvester, Georgia. Eulogy will be given by Rev. Dr. Roland Jenkins. Services may be viewed Facebook Live from the "Shipps Funeral Home" Facebook page or by clicking the Video Stream link on the website Home Page.

Mrs. Ella Virginia Bivens Cunningham was born on February 2, 1942 in Worth County, Georgia to the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter and Adella Polite Bivens. She was the third of nine children.

“Ella V.”, as she was affectionately known by family and friends, was educated in the Worth County Public School System and later went on to receive her General Education Diploma from Albany Area Technical College, where she also furthered her education there by attaining her Certificates in Catering and Nurse Aide. Ella then went on to the Medical Center of Perinatology and received her Certificate in Neonatal Nursing Symposium. Ella was employed by Worth County Hospital, now known as Phoebe Worth Medical Center, for over twelve years. She then went on to work for SOWEGA Neighborhood Service in Sylvester, Georgia as a cook for many years until she retired. Ella was united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Freddie Lee Cunningham. This union was blessed with six children. Ella confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and joined the Porter’s Corner Baptist Church, now known as New Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Acree, Georgia, where she sang in the Senior Choir. She was also a faithful member of the Bivens Family Gospel Singers of Poulan, Georgia. She attended the Blue Springs Baptist Association Seminary to train to become a Sunday School Teacher. Later, she accepted her calling and position to become an Usher for the doors of New Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where she served to her fullest until her health declined. Our precious Ella V. gave up this busy walk of life for Eternal Rest on November 12, 2021 at Phoebe Worth Medical Center in Sylvester, Georgia. Her parents, her husband, Freddie Lee Cunningham, a son, Stephone Cunningham, a grandson, Kentravious Cunningham, and a brother, Jimmy Bivens, have all preceded her in death. Ella V. leaves her legacy of love to be cherished by her children, Dianne Cunningham of Poulan, Georgia, Wallace Cunningham, Stephanie Elaine (Walter) Snow, Edgar (Lakeitha) Cunningham, Aloyisus Cunningham, all of Albany, Georgia; her sisters and brothers, Adella Marlin, Louise Williams, Anthony (Loretha) Bivens, all of Sylvester, Georgia, Willie Frank (Evelean) Bivens of Moultrie, Georgia, Walter (Barbara) Bivens, Jr. of Winter Haven, Florida, Fannie Bivens, Willie (Betty) Bivens, both of Poulan, Georgia; grandchildren, Ayesha Smith, Alexis (Querrion) Smith, Nelao Cunningham, Ileni Cunningham, Jakavian Cunningham, Malik Cunningham, Crystal Snow, Kedarrius Cunningham, Mya Cunningham, Jaida Rhodes; great grandchildren, Travontae Smith, Cassidy Smith, Gari Parker, Jr., Carmen Smith, Cameron Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces, great great nephews, cousins, and friends she loved dearly.