Marcia Lawrence Cunningham

After an eight year struggle with Lymphoma, Marcia Lawrence Cunningham, age 57, of Clarkesville, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on May 31, 2010.

Born in Meridian, Mississippi on June 13, 1952, Mrs. Cunningham was the daughter of Elbert and Phyllis Bacon Lawrence of Columbus, Mississippi. Mrs. Cunningham was a member and very active in her church, Bethlehem Baptist in Clarkesville. After high school Marcia graduated with a BA from the University of Georgia. She also obtained her Masters from Georgia State University and her Six Year Degree from North Georgia College and State University. She was an Educator, having taught at Arrendale State Prison. Marcia was bi-lingual in American Sign Language and she taught at the Georgia School for the Deaf for 22 years. She was also very active in the Relay for Life in Habersham County and she was an Artist. Marcia held a great love of animals, especially her beloved dogs Rudder, Prissy, and Bosum, and two cats Pepper and Chloe.

Survivors include her parents Elbert and Phyllis Lawrence of Columbus, Mississippi, husband Jim Cunningham of Clarkesville, daughters Jennifer Robinson of Commerce and Heather Kostyk of Chamblee, brother William Lawrence of Panama City, Florida, sister Barbara Lawrence Smith of Rome, sister in law Kathleen Cunningham of Fairfield, California, aunt Elaine Byrd of Meridian, Mississippi, as well as three grandchildren Sadie, Alyssah, and Lauren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 11:00 AM from the Bethlehem Baptist Church. Dr. Bill Cashion, Gene Griffith, and Gus Huber will officiate with burial to follow the service in the Church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home, 5495 Highway 197 South, Clarkesville, on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, from 7-9 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to Habersham County Relay for Life, c/o Lena McGahee, 170 Thomas Street, Cornelia, GA 30531.

Those wishing may send condolences to the family by visiting www.hillsidememorialchapel.com.

Funeral arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256.