Family History

 "You don't choose your family.
They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."
- Desmond Tutu

Fabulous Five
“First & Second Generations”
  
Peany Montgomery
One of the first-known family ancestors and the mother of Hattie Montgomery Cunningham.  Other possible offspring include Ben, Eliza, and Tom.
 
Moses Cunningham
One of the first-known Cunningham ancestors, the husband of Peggie and the father of Frank Cunningham.  Other possible offspring include Ellen and William.
 
Peggie Cunningham
One of the first-known Cunningham ancestors, the wife of Moses and the mother of Frank Cunningham.  Other possible offspring include Ellen and William.
 
Hattie Montgomery Cunningham
The second generation of known Cunningham ancestors, wife of Frank Cunningham and mother of Carrie, Ernest, Archie, Claudia, Delia, Rutelia, Eula, Robert, Katie, Lillian and Willie.  Born in October, 1864 to Peany Montgomery and oftern referred to as “Aunt Hattie”, she served as a cook for Talladega County Training School faculty members.  Hattie Montgomery Cunninham passed away August 28, 1956.
 
Frank Cunningham
The second generation of known Cunningham ancestors, husband of Hattie and the father Ernest, Archie, Claudia, Delia, Rutelia, Eula, Robert, Katie, Lillian and Willie.  Born in December, 1860 to Moses and Peggie Cunningham, he was a self-employed "general farmer".  Frank Cunningham passed away on August 4, 1917 at the age of 57.



Excellent Eleven
“Third Generation”
Offspring of Frank Cunningham & Hattie Montgomery-Cunningham

Carrie Cunningham-Grayson
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and daughter of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. It is believed that Carrie’s biological father was Caucasian and financially sponsored her nursing education. The first born of the Excellent Eleven, and believed to be born around the 1880’s, she was married to Mr. Grayson. The couple lived in Birmingham, AL. and had no children. Carrie passed away July 12th, 1956.

Ernest Cunningham
The 3rd generation of know Cunningham ancestors and son of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The eldest son and 2nd member of the Excellent Eleven, Ernest was born in Nov. 1884 in Talladega County, AL. He married Ella Lawson about 1908 or 1909. He was a self-employed farmer and father of Cassie, Alphonso, Frank, Mary Frances, Ernest (Kingfish), Moses (MD), Bert, Ethel, Robert (Bill), Arthur and Agnes. Frank Cunningham pass away in Talladega, AL. Jan. 12th, 1936 at the age of 51.

Archie Cunningham
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and son of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The second son and third member of the Excellent Eleven, Archie was born Aug. 1886. He married Alberta Harris and welcomed sons, Lincoln, Ellwood and R.C. A self-employed farmer, Archie was renowned for his baseball skills, liberty overrall's and stature. Uncle Archie passed away in Nov. 1973 at the approximate age of 87.

Claudia Cunningham-Lawson
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and daughter of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The second daughter and fourth member of the Excellent Eleven, Claudia was born in Sept. 1888. She married Burt Lawson (brother of Ella Lawson – married to Excellent Eleven member Ernest Cunningham) and welcomed Clarence, Otis, Ollie Ruth, Willie, Lenolia, Mattie Rutelia, Ossie Ree, Morris, Burt and A.B. Claudia Cunningham-Lawson passed away in May of 1967.

Delia (Dee) Cunningham-Truss
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and daughter of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The third daughter and fifth member of the Excellent Eleven. Delia was born in Nov. 1890. She married Robert Truss and welcomed William, Lovell, Carrie, Louise, Emmit, Midria, Lois and James. An avid member of Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Delia Cunningham-Truss passed away Oct. 11th, 1993.

Rutelia Cunningham-Curry
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and daughter of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The fourth daughter and sixth member of the Excellent Eleven, Rutelia was born about Nov. 1892. She married D. Curry and welcomed Oran and Lorena. The family lived in Birmingham, AL. Rutelia Cunningham-Curry passed away May 7th, 1945.

Eula Cunningham-Truss
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and daughter of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The fifth daughter and seventh member of the Excellent Eleven, Eula was born on Feb. 18th, 1896. She married Acie Truss (brother of Robert Truss – married to Excellent Eleven member Delia Truss) and welcomed Lloyd, James B (JB), Daniel C (DC), Acie, Bertha Nell, Houston (Red) and George C (Cleo). A housewife and Avid member of Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Eula Cunningham-Truss passed away July 27th, 1992.

Robert Cunningham
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and son of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The third son and eight member of the Excellent Eleven, Robert was born in Apr. 1890. He married Annie Hunley. Robert Cunningham passed away Feb. 1st, 1973.

Katie Lee Cunningham-Beck
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and daughter of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The sixth daughter and ninth member of the Excellent Eleven, Katie Lee was born in 1904. She married Theron Beck in the early 1920’s and welcomed Mattie Ruth, Clifford, Archie, Eula Bell, Clinton, Albert, Frank and Alphonso. Katie Lee Cunningham-Beck passed away Oct. 19th, 1958.

Lillian (Girlie) Cunningham-Headen
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and daughter of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The seventh daughter, twin of Willie and tenth member of the Excellent Eleven, Lillian was born around 1906. She married Ellis Headen in the early 1920’s and welcomed Dorothy, Aristine, Benny Frank, Ruby Inez, Ellis and Kaydell. Lillian Cunningham-Headen passed away Sept. 8, 1982.

Willie (Fell) Cunningham
The 3rd generation of known Cunningham ancestors and son of Frank and Hattie Cunningham. The fourth son, twin of Lillian and eleventh member of the Excellent Eleven. Willie was born around 1906. He married Jennie Sawyer and welcomed Georgia Lee and Mattie "Tootsie". Often referred to as “Uncle Fell”, Willie resided in Birmingham, AL, and passed away July 23rd, 1990.