Derrick Demont Cunningham

Mr. Derrick Demont Cunningham was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on December 2, 1971, to Mr. Vallie Cunningham and Mrs. Florine Riddle Cunningham.

He was a graduate of Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, Alabama, Class of 1990. He joined the U. S. Army in 1989-1997, where he started out in the Infantry at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and later changed his job to Combat Engineer at Ft. Wood, Missouri. Upon returning  home from active duty, he joined the Reserve Unit 926 Engineering Battalion, where he served the remainder of his time.

Derrick was a factory worker before he became too sick to work. He worked for Trinity Industries until they closed the plant. He started a new job at Butler Manufacturing Company and worked there for 14 years until that plant closed also. He then worked as a truck driver for Ebsco Industries for 5 years until he found a better paying job at Ogiheria. There he made major parts for Mercedes Benz and this allowed him to be home more often. He remained there until his health began to fail.

He leaves to cherish his memories, a Beautiful and loving wife: Velma Olivia Cunnigham (my Hellava, Hellava), who was there for him through his long sickness; children: Selithia (Fharari) Holyfiled, De'Ontraniece McCaskill and Chasity Cunningham; father: Vallie Cunningham; mother: Florine Cunningham; one sister: Valerie Denise Gaines (Wonder Twin Power); one play sister: Kris Howard; one brother: Eric Lemont Cunningham; aunts: Ethel Mae (Walter) Wren, Birmingham, Alabama, Joanne Littltejohn, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Mary Alice Rogers, Birmingham, Alabama, Faye (Curtis) McCall, Birmingham, Alabama, Yolanda Riddle, Bessemer, Alabama, Wanda Faye Thomas, Bessemer, Alabama, Beulah Rhone, Bessemer, Alabama; uncles: A. C. Jenkins, Birmingham, Alabama, Clady Riles, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Cimmie Riddle, Eastlake, Alabama, Jerry Thomas, Birmingham, Alabama, and Terry Thomas, Birmingham, Alabama; one niece: Chentel (Elliott) Cross; three nephews: Antoine Taylor, Devin Williams and William Howard; and a host of cousins and friends who he loved.

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