Lieutenant Colonel Retired, April Dillard Cunningham, 57, of Woodbridge, VA, passed Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Monument of Faith Church, 319 Henry Street, Eden, NC 27288. The Celebration of life will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Apostle Tony Brazelton and Pastor Cynthia Brazelton, officiating. Interment will be held in the Field of Honors at Lakeview Memorial Park at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, May 28, 2023, 3600 N. O'Henry Blvd. Greensboro, NC 27405.Livestream will be available through Facebook - http// www.Facebook.com / perryspencerfuneralhome? mine tie = LQQJ4d

Lieutenant Colonel Retired, April Dillard Cunningham was born October 2, 1965, in Eden, North Carolina and Lieutenant Colonel Retired, April Dillard Cunningham was born October 2, 1965, in Eden, North Carolina and made her transition from the temporal to the eternal on May 16, 2023. April was well loved but God loved her more. April will forever be remembered as "God's Songbird" singing every moment there was an opportunity. She was a woman after God's heart and pursued him with a passion and fervor that was unmatched. She was a natural leader wherever she went and served as the Administrator of Marketing and Promotions supporting several entities in her church which included the bookstore, Leader in the Healing Center, a vessel with Chosen Treasures where mentees were trained in outreach ministry. April was honored to serve alongside her colleagues and was looking forward to her first trip to Nigeria in August to use her skills. Alas, April's true calling was singing love songs in exhortation to God as Worship Leader on the Praise Team at Victory Christian Ministries International, Woodbridge.

April was educated in the Rockingham County Public School system and graduated from John Motley Morehead High School in 1983. April earned a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations and Communications at North Carolina A&T State University (Aggie Pride!), a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Troy State University, a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communications and Public Relations (joint degree) at George Washington University and Studied Strategic Communications at Purdue University and the University of Oklahoma. April was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc...."Bout Business." April was employed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a Public Relations Specialist and an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University. Highlights of April’s career in the private sector include State Farm Agent and Owner and Mary Kay Sales Representative earning a Red Jacket as she leveled up to Sales Director. With each endeavor, God blessed April's hands and she was ever so humble.

April enlisted in the United States Army in and in 1993 and went on to serve as an officer in the United States Air Force until her retirement in 2013 with 24 years of active duty. During April's service to her country, her awards and decorations included Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, , Army Achievement Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Sharpshooter Badge M-16mRifle, National Defense Service Media with 1 Star, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Global War Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship (Rifle).and Army Training Ribbon.

Highlights of April’s military career included Media Operations Branch Chief at National Guard Bureau of the United States of America, Media Relations Division Public Affairs Specialist in the U.S. Army, Training and Program Director at Defense Media Activity, Press Desk Officer/Official DoD Spokesperson at U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Northern Command.

April is survived by her son Benjamin Malik Cunningham of Woodbridge, VA, whom she loved with all her being, friend Gregory Redding, of Fort Washington, MD, Mother, Lillie Ruth Hairston, Father Ronald Hairston, both of Eden, NC, Sisters Tracy Dillard Cousins of Thomasville, NC, Kena Dillard of Eden, NC, Penny Dillard Simmons (Zallo) of High Point, NC, Lisa Grey, Lorrie Stokes, Sandra Hairston and Karen Wotten all of Martinsville, VA, Brothers Dennis Dillard of Reidsville, NC, Lewis Waller (Tammy) of Martinsville, VA, and Bruce Waller (Blanche) of Danville, VA, nieces Paisley Simmons, Peighton Simmons, Tyna Dillard, Calyn Dillard, twins Kristin and Olivia Dillard and nephews Justin Dillard, Anthony Reaves, Joshua Dillard and a host of cousins, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and close friends.