Cunnyngham, Wiley Houston (1944)

From “The Dayton Herald” dated Thursday, Jan. 6, 1944 –Rhea County Pioneer Dies In Evensville

Dr. Wiley Houston Cynnyngham, 86, died Thursday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. B. Taylor, near Evensville.  Dr. Cunnyngham was born near Old Washington July 20, 1858, the son of the late W. H. Bunnyngham and Elvina Locke Cunnyngham both of pioneer families of Rhea County.

Dr. Cunnyngham was graduated from Vanderbilt Univ. in 1882, and practiced medicine in Rhea County until 1900 when he retired to devote his time to farming his extensive lands in the Clear Creek community.

He was married to Miss Ada Darwin of Spring City on May 18, 1884 and to them were born four children, three of whom survive him. They are Darwin Cunnyngham of Dayton, Mrs. J. B. Taylor, Rhea County home demonstration agent, and Mrs. Golly Evans, both of Evensville.  He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

The body will be at the home of his son, Darwin Cunnyngham until Saturday morning when it will be taken to the First Methodist church of Spring City where it will lie in state from 10 o’clock until the time of the funeral service at two o’clock that afternoon.  The officiating ministers will be the Rev. E.R. Lewis, the Rev. W. R. Rollins, and the Rev. J. Woolford Stone.

Pallbearers will be Finley Taylor, PFC Howard Cunnyngham, Robert Tate Cunnyngham, Sgt. Jim Evans, John Miller, W. C. Garrison, Jr., Clarence Miller and Dan Miller.  Interment will be in the Spring City Cemetery with Sawyers Funeral Service in charge.