Mel B

Cunningham

Life Story

Mel was born to Laura and Willis Cunningham on September 13, 1935 in Monroe County,

Mississippi. He departed this life on February 9, 2023.

He grew up around family and friends and at the age of seventeen married Beatrice Gates
Cunningham and to that to that marriage, they created one son, Joseph Cunningham. Mel
moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he met Norma Jean Cunningham who he married in 1995.

Their son, Brian Cunningham, was born to that marriage.

Mel worked forty years at Boeng in St. Louis as a chef where he was noted for his great food and special barbeque sauce made from scratch.

He was loved by many, especially family and friends. He leaves to cherish his memory: two sons: Joseph Cunningham (Irene) and Brian Cunningham; three granddaughters: Candace Cunningham-Polite (Clinton), Ra'Kaya Cunningham, and Brittany Cunningham; one grandson: J.R Cunningham (Latoya); two great-grands: MJ and Savannah Polite; and several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by: his loving wife, Norma Cunningham; grandson, Joshua Cunningham; parents, Laura and Willis Cunningham; in-laws, Helen Willis and Kenneth Hayles; one sister, Elizabeth McPherson; a sister-in-law, Wanda Jones (George); a brother-in-law, Dino Willis (Tracy).