Sammy Cunningham

Coach Sammy Cunningham, age 75 of Alto, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Born on May 08, 1936, in Franklin, NC, he was a son of the late Harry L. and Louise Culver Cunningham. Coach Cunningham attended Fellowship Church, was a former deacon of Baldwin Baptist Church and was Sunday School Superintendent for 21 years. He was also a U.S. Army Reserve veteran. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by a brother, Edwin Cunningham and brothers-in-law, Weyman Griffin, B.F. Hill, and Bobby Cochran; father and mother-in-law, Avery and Carrenia Bonds.

In September 1959, Coach Cunningham began his 33 year teaching career at Hazel Grove Elementary School. Soon he began coaching 8th grade football at Hazel Grove and "B" team at South Habersham. He coached for two years at Hazel Grove and five years at Baldwin Elementary while continuing to coach "B" team at South Habersham. In the summer of 1968 Coach Cunningham was appointed head coach of the South Habersham Rebels following the death of Head Coach Gene Alexander. The next year he became the Athletic Director and 9th grade football and basketball coach for South Habersham Jr. High School. In 1990 the 9th grade was moved to Habersham Central where for the next two years he coached the Lady Raiders to a state play-off spot. Their record was 22 and 6.

During his 33 year coaching tenure, Coach Cunningham's record includes; football, 156 victories, 70 losses, and nine ties; basketball, 470 wins and 190 losses. He was honored with Teacher of the Year in 1985-86, Who's Who Among American Teachers in 1990, and was inducted into the Habersham County Football Ring of Honor in April 2001. In 1993 Coach Cunningham retired from Habersham Central High School following his long and distinguished career. In 2011 he came out of retirement to coach his last winning football season for South Habersham Middle School. He then enjoyed his cattle farm and spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include wife of 34 years, Faye Bonds Cunningham; son and daughter-in-law, Stuart and Luanne Cunningham of Cornelia; daughters and sons-in-law, Celeste and Bryan Jarrard of Cornelia and Tera and Billy Sellers of Cornelia; sisters-in-law, Lucy Cunningham of Monterey, California, Claudette Griffin of Hiawassee; sisters and brothers-in-law, Barbrann and Frank Gordon of Gillsville and Joan and L.C. Parks of Lula; nine grandchildren, Kenyon and Michelle Jarrard, Lindy Cunningham, Lauren Cunningham, Jessica Sellers, Coleman Cunningham, Carley Jarrard, Talia and Tarin Westbrook.

Memorial services will be held at 3 pm Sunday, January 22, 2012 in the Auditorium of the new Habersham Central High School with Rev. Scott Brown, Rev. Craig Lee, Rev. Terry Rice, and Rev. Mike Campbell officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:30pm