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Obituary For Dale Cunningham
Dale Marie Cunningham of Phenix City, Alabama joyfully and peacefully transitioned in her home on March 19, 2025.
Visitation will be from 3 - 5 p.m. EST, Monday, March 31, 2025 at Taylor Funeral Home.
Born in Chicago, Illinois on December 12, 1957, to Johnnie Lewis and Duffie Powell-Lewis. Dale grew up in Altgeld Gardens on the Southside of Chicago, where she attended Carver High School.
In 1976 she married her high school sweetheart, the late Ledger Jolliff Jr. Together they had and raised three children Lamar, Jenise and Jennifer in and around the Chicago area.
Later in life Dale's mother persuaded her and her sister, Linda, to enroll in nursing school. After completing years of studies at Ivy Tech in Gary, Indiana, she, and her sister went on to have successful careers in nursing. Dale cared for and touched the hearts of many in Indiana, Alabama, and Georgia.
In 1997, Dale decided to move her family to Phenix City, Alabama where she resided at the time of death. In Phenix City, Dale built a home away from home. Her family grew, her children flourished, and she redeveloped her passion for sewing. Along with sewing, Dale was an avid reader of all things romance. She also loved food and enjoyed cooking for her family, especially her Grandchildren. Dale had a green thumb that could grow anything, including hair and she loved all things HGTV and Lifetime.
Dale is preceeded in death by both parents, Johnnie Lewis and Duffie McGhee, her elder sisters, Catherine Halliburton and Vellean Gillis, and her niece Tirzah Lewis. Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory is her estranged husband Kenneth Cunningham of Gary, Ind., her siblings Johnnie Lee Lewis of Gary, Ind., Linda (Larry) Rogers of Indianapolis, Ind., Rickey (Carolyn) Lewis of Indianapolis, Ind., Lisa Lewis of Mobile, Al., Willie Lewis of Gary Ind., Dana (Allyn) Green-Bynum of Baldwin, NY., Anthony Lewis of East Chicago, Ind. and Georgia (Bernice) Jackson of Phenix City, Al., her three children Lamar (Amanda) Jolliff, Jenise Jolliff and Jennifer Jolliff all of Phenix City, Al. , five grandchildren Imani Gethers, Debeniare Jolliff, Tashanique Jolliff, Joshua Blake and Jeremiah Jolliff, her bonus grandchild Takeitha Clark, her grand dog Pepsi Jolliff, her nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and great great grand nieces and nephews, other family members, friends and lifelong girlfriends.
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Dale Doeden sent Red and White Handled Basket for Dale Cunningham - March 31, 2025
Mrs. Girl, It's been 1 month, 4 weeks, 31 days, 720 hours, 43,200 minutes and 2,592,000 seconds without you here in human form. The hardest part is not hearing your voice, everyday for 3+ years you wished me good morning and goodnight. I thought losing my Daddy was hard, but this has taken the cake! But, God is still good and He makes no mistakes! I KNOW you made it to Heaven and is smiling down at us every chance you get, especially now that you have your sister with you.
Momma, I want you to know that I'm ok! People have been thinking I would lose mind, but I'm stronger than ever. Don't get me wrong, I have had my days, but I have Peace! The kinda Peace that surpasses all understanding, I have it bc I allowed you to "do it your way". No, everyday wasn't perfect, some days we would get on each other's last nerve, but I wouldn't have had any other way. There aren't many that can say they cared for their mother until their last breath...she was there for my first and I was there for her last, what an honor and a privilege...THANK YOU GOD!!!!
I will forever cherish your memory and in honor of your life, I will now begin to live mine again...your girl outside this summer! I will love you and miss until my last breath, until we meet again, I LOVE YOU!!!!!
NeCee β€οΈ
Ms. Dale such a sweet spirit, condolences to the family.
Rest in peace. You did a job well done with me. All I can say is mission accomplished. You saw me grow and mature into the man you saw best for your son. Words cannot describe how much love you had for me and how much of a priority to you had for me to stop the life(at my late teenage years)that you had going just for me to have one. I talking about moving 12 hours away lolππ³π€£ Me and momma did a lot of traveling together. That meant a lot to us both. You always will be loved and dearly missed and hold a very special place in my heart. Your handful of trouble Love you MOMMAππ Your loving Son Lamarπ₯°π
To the Jolliff family, I was so sad to hear of your loss, Dale was such a sweet person with such a pure heart. The world will not be the same without her. I pray that GOD will comfort you and keep his arms around you at this time.
From my brother Montee Liggins you all are in my thoughts and prayers ππ
To Jennifer and family I'm so sorry for your loss and I pray the God covers you all with strength and love β€οΈ ππΌ love you my friend
My sincere condolences to you and your family. Praying for strength and healing doing this time. β€οΈ
My deepest condolences to the family may God comfort and strengthen you during this difficult time ES Battle (ATL)
To Dale's children and the entire Lewis Family. I had the pleasure of working with Dale when she lived in Gary, IN. We worked at West Side Nursing Home, later being changed to South Shore Health & Rehabilitation. She had a smile every time you encountered in the hall. I will miss keeping up with her on Social Media. To the Children, always remember that God is too Wise to make a Mistake and too Just to be Unfair. It was God's Devine Timing to come and take Your Momma by the hand and lead her home. May God Bless and Strengthen You who are left to carry on her legacy.
My deepest condolences to your family ππΎππΎ I had the pleasure of working with Dale at magnolia Manor she was one of the sweetest people I knew,β€οΈ R.I.P
To the family of Dale Cunningham who along with her sisters Linda and Lisa were like sisters to me and my two sisters. We made many cherished memories and formed friendships that will stand the test of time. You all are in my thoughts and prayers! ππ½ππ½ππ½
And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4
Karen (Shell) Liggins-Dix
Dale was a big sister to me in Gary we enjoyed life and together, truly will be missed and always loved..to the family you have my sincere heartfelt condolences, my prayers are with each and every one of you πππ
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
