Esther Clouse Cunningham

Franklin, NC - Esther Clouse Cunningham, age 93, of Franklin, NC, passed away Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at her residence. She was a native of Macon County, the daughter of the late Zebulon Montgomery and Nellie Caroline Reece Clouse. She was married to the late James "Jim" P. Cunningham, who passed away December 30, 2003. She was a 1971 graduate of Western Carolina University with a BS Degree and retired from Macon County Schools after teaching for several years. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She was a founding member of Western North Carolina Alliance, a founding member of Carson Community Development Organization, a member of Carson Home Extension Club, a member of Memorial United Methodist Church, where she served as a choir member, Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent; a member of Nequassi Chapter OES for over 50 years. As a 4-H club leader she organized Carson Cloggers. At the age of eighteen she owned and operated Esther’s Beauty Shop on Main Street in Franklin. Esther was Home Start Director at Macon Program for Progress; active in PTA on local, state and national levels; a member of Friends of the Library and Macon County Historical Society. She enjoyed making afghans and gave hundreds to family and friends. Her flower garden was admired by all, and in her later years she enjoyed raising orchids.

She is survived by two daughters; Brenda Elliott and husband Harold and Suzanne Williams and husband Jim of Franklin, NC; a son, James Cunningham, Jr. and wife Linda of Franklin, NC; a brother, George Clouse of Orlando, FL; eleven grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild also survives. She was loved by a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins who also survive. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Nina Elizabeth Hamilton and Timsey Nelle Mullinax.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 23rd at 2:00 pm at Memorial United Methodist Church, with Rev. Keith Newell officiating. Burial will be at Carson Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rik Elliott, Michael Elliott, Jay Williams, Randall Cook, Ryan McHan and Ronnie Ledford.

The family will receive friends Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, one hour prior to the service, at the church.

Memorials may be made to Carson Cemetery, c/o Sarah Bryson, 2161 Old Murphy Road, Franklin, NC 28734 or to Memorial United Methodist Church, 4668 Old Murphy Rd., Franklin, NC 28734.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.