Mother Annabelle Freeman-Cunningham

Mother Annabelle Freeman-Cunningham inspiring life story depicts a women of faith, commitment, and dedication. Her journey began June 23, 1929 that has taken her from Augusta, Georgia to the Elect Lady of Greater Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ and the Columbia Jurisdiction. Mother Annabelle Freeman-Cunningham is the third daughter of Robert and Mary Christie. Both parents nurtured and cared for Mother Ann until her adulthood, and have since preceded her in death.

Mother Annabelle Freeman-Cunningham married Bishop Fred L. Cunningham on October 26, 1949 and to this union five children were born. They were the epitome of the marriage institution in which their union of 58 years has set a valuable encouragement to married couples all over the world. She affectionately called her husband “Earth Angel” as she quoted and modeled to the women constantly that “A wise woman buildeth her house”. In motto, even in her illness she maintained and continually quoted “I will bless the Lord at all times and His praises shall continually be in my mouth.”

Mother Annabelle Freeman-Cunningham was witnessed to by Bishop Charles Cunningham, in which, she accepted Christ in 1954 at True Church House of Prayer to All Nation in Chicago, IL under the leadership of Bishop J.E. Williams. After receiving the Holy Ghost, she witnessed to her husband in which he received a life transforming experience in true Holiness. They were faithful and served in the church until they moved to the city of South haven, Michigan.

Mother Annabelle Freeman-Cunningham completed her education in the year of 1949 at Central High School. She worked and retired from South Haven Rubber Company.

Mother Annabelle Freeman-Cunningham accepted the commission to do ministry with her husband in the year of 1968. They were faithful members of the Lee’s temple Church of god in Christ under the leadership of their pastor, Superintendent J.S. Lee. The Lord summoned her husband Bishop F.L. Cunningham to begin a ministry in the city of South Haven where they have and continued to do ministry for some 40 years.

Mother Annabelle Freeman-Cunningham is affectionately known as Mother Ann to her church family, and the entire community. She was a loving, exhilarating, and faithful woman of God who served diligently and untiring with the Prayer and Bible Band, Noon day Prayer, and Home and Foreign Mission. She recognized the ability to love and knew that it required actions and not just in words. In spite of all, Mother Ann had enough love for many sons and daughters in the ministry.

Mother Ann’s love, life, and legacy will forever be cherished and etched in the hearts of her loving husband, Bishop Fred L. Cunningham. She leaves to mourn their five beloved children, Michael (Virginia) Benton Harbor, MI., Barbara Williams, Los Angeles, CA., Ricky (Belinda) Kalamazoo, MI., Christine (Walter), South Haven, MI., Frieda (Tyrone) Los Angeles, CA., South Haven, MI., and Larista White, Indianapolis, IN., sixteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. She also leaves to mourn her eight siblings, Alberta Whitley, Chicago, IL., Molly (Fairbanks) Cooper, Milwaukee, WI., Mary Winston, Jonesboro, Gal, Fay (George) Curry, Tacoma, WA., John Christie, Fairfield, CA., Robert Lee, Conley, GA., Leona (George) Rice, South Haven, MI., Gloria (Sam) Piggee, Stockton, CA., Michael (Barbara) Watson, Chalene Watson Kalamazoo, MI., and Juliette Watson, Grand Rapids, MI.

Mother Ann leaves behind her beloved and faithful church family, the Greater Pentecostal Temple COGIC along with the Columbia and Western Michigan Jurisdictions. A very special son, Ester Wilkins, her personal adjutant Sis. Loraine Cunningham, and her faithful prayer partner Mother Mae Thomas. A host of nieces, nephews and relatives.

Four siblings proceeded her in death, Inez Barlow, Morris and Mervin Christie, Gertrude Forrest.

Mother Ann dedicated her life to her husband, family, church, community, and most all the Lord.