Charlotte “Dolly” Cunningham
July 9th, 1958 - April 20th, 2025
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Dolly's Obituary
Charlotte Cunningham awoke on April 20, 2025, Resurrection Sunday, filled with joy as she listened to gospel music while preparing for church service. Little did she know that this day would mark her graduation to glory.
She was born on July 9, 1958, in South Haven, Michigan. She was the seventh child in a family of eight and one of two females in the family, proudly known as the baby girl. She was affectionately nicknamed “Dolly” by her older brother, Ralph and was given the name, Charlotte, by her favorite uncle, Fred Cunningham I. As a child, and into her teens years she played “double-Dutch” and softball, almost every day, during the summer with her cousins.
Charlotte was exceptionally smart and had a lifelong passion for reading, often discussing the books that inspired her, particularly those about the civil rights movement and its leaders. She became a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and the pursuit of equal justice, fighting against injustices throughout her life. After graduating from the South Haven Public School District, she promptly applied to and was accepted by Michigan State University (MSU), where she studied Nutrition. During her academic journey, she earned an Associate’s degree from Lake Michigan College and a Bachelor of Science from MSU. Charlotte was blessed with one son, Dr. Jamein Pernell Cunningham, along with a daughter-in-law, Shallena Cunningham, and three wonderful grandchildren: Jalen, Justice, and BJ (Jamein).
Charlotte’s Homegoing will be Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Greater Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, located at 323 Abell Street in South Haven, Michigan. The wake will start promptly at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Homegoing Celebration at 11:00 a.m. She will be buried at Lakeview Cemetery close to her parents and brother.
Those wishing to leave Charlotte an online condolence may do so at www.starksfamilyfh.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 269-637-0333.
She was born on July 9, 1958, in South Haven, Michigan. She was the seventh child in a family of eight and one of two females in the family, proudly known as the baby girl. She was affectionately nicknamed “Dolly” by her older brother, Ralph and was given the name, Charlotte, by her favorite uncle, Fred Cunningham I. As a child, and into her teens years she played “double-Dutch” and softball, almost every day, during the summer with her cousins.
Charlotte was exceptionally smart and had a lifelong passion for reading, often discussing the books that inspired her, particularly those about the civil rights movement and its leaders. She became a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and the pursuit of equal justice, fighting against injustices throughout her life. After graduating from the South Haven Public School District, she promptly applied to and was accepted by Michigan State University (MSU), where she studied Nutrition. During her academic journey, she earned an Associate’s degree from Lake Michigan College and a Bachelor of Science from MSU. Charlotte was blessed with one son, Dr. Jamein Pernell Cunningham, along with a daughter-in-law, Shallena Cunningham, and three wonderful grandchildren: Jalen, Justice, and BJ (Jamein).
Charlotte’s Homegoing will be Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Greater Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, located at 323 Abell Street in South Haven, Michigan. The wake will start promptly at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Homegoing Celebration at 11:00 a.m. She will be buried at Lakeview Cemetery close to her parents and brother.
Those wishing to leave Charlotte an online condolence may do so at www.starksfamilyfh.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 269-637-0333.
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