Deaconess Cunningham Obituary

Born on December 15, 1946, Barbara Phoebe Hitchens Childs was the youngest of
three children of the late Helen Mabel Hitchens and John Elliott Childs. Barbara was
born in Strafford, PA, and grew up on a small farm in the Chester County area.
Surrounded by her family, she passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the age
of 78 years old.

Barbara was educated in the Paoli Area High School System and graduated from
Conestoga High School in 1964.

She went on to study at The Hahnemann Medical College, where she graduated with
her associate degree in Medical Assistant in 1981.

In her childhood, Barbara was a member of Mt. Zion AME Church in Devon, PA.
In 1975, while working at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she met
her beloved husband, Robert E. Cunningham. After dating for 1 year, they eloped and
got married in Maryland on June 12, 1976.

In 1980, Robert joined the U.S. Army. Robert's military career took them to more places
that included Ft. Riley, KS, Germany, and Ft. Stewart, GA. Robert and Barbara shared a
joy for traveling and visited many different states and countries, including but not limited
to France, Italy, Jamaica, Aruba, St. Maartan, Kansas, North Carolina, and Florida.
In July 1982, Barbara welcomed her first child with Robert E. Cunningham, a girl they
named Amanda N. Cunningham in Lankenau Medical Center in Pennsylvania. In
November 1985, Barbara welcomed her second child Hannah E. Cunningham, with
Robert E. Cunningham while being stationed in the country of Germany.

Barbara had an active military life as a spouse. She loved to volunteer with the
American Red Cross organization and made sure her family joined a church at every
duty station. She worked for the U.S. government in civil service for 15 years in various
job positions. The last being a PEBLO for Patient Affairs for the Department of Defense
on Ft. Stewart, GA.

While being stationed at Ft Stewart, GA. Her husband, Robert Cunningham retired from
the U.S. Army after 20 years of dedicated service. And they purchased a family home
where they made great memories over the years with their family.

After arriving in Hinesville, Georgia, the Cunninghams joined Pleasant Grove AME
Church, where they were dedicated members for over 10 years.

In 2008, they joined Baconton Missionary Baptist Church in Waltourville, GA were she
and her husband became Deacon/Deaconess and took part in many church activities.

Barbara loved teaching Sunday school, singing in the First Sunday choir, and serving
lunch during the summer lunch program every June.
Barbara always had a heart for people. She served in public office as the Mayor of
Warner Heights while stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. She loved to talk and interact
with people from all walks of life. She never met a stranger.
She was known to be a prayer warrior who loved praying for her family and friends. She
loved to walk around the house singing gospel songs, playing any card game,
gardening, talking about conspiracy theories, shopping, trying new restaurants and
different foods, and traveling with family and friends.
Barbara is survived by her beloved husband, Robert E. Cunningham, Jr., two daughters
Amanda N. Cunningham and Hannah E. Cunningham, nieces from Phyllis Murray Sims
and Davida Garr, cousins and a host of close family and friends.
Her brother Henry Hitchens, sister Dorothy Garr and her mother Helen Hitchens and
father John Elliot Childs preceded her in death.

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