SEARCY — William Joseph Cunningham, Sr.,
February 17, 1933 – February 15, 2020.
William Joseph “Joe” Cunningham, Sr - father, husband, and long-time Barber in Searcy left this earth today for his heavenly home. The gates of Heaven opened wide and welcomed home a true lamb of God. He’ll wear many jewels on his crown of glory.
He was known to his friends and customers as Joe, to his children as Pop and Daddy, to the rest of his family as Papaw and to his grandchildren who called him Peep. Joe was the fourth generation in a long line of family barbers and started cutting hair when he was 14 years old. He loved sports as a student as was captain of his high school football team, even calling the plays. Joe was a popular young man who was president of his Junior and Senior high school classes. Joe joined his family in working the coal mines before barber school. He soon married and moved to Searcy with his best friend, Raymond Hill, also a barber, and opened East End Barber Shop in 1958. It is an icon the local business community.
His barber shop was one of the first in Searcy. Having served the community for 60+ years, many families enjoyed having their sons, fathers and grandfathers get a haircut from “Flat Top Joe” or “Five Minute Joe” as he was fondly nicknamed. Joe was delighted when families brought their children to him for their first haircut.
Joe was an avid gardener and loved to share the bounties of his garden – from sweet corn to okra and tomatoes, neighbors and fellow parishioners at Oak Grove Methodist Church enjoyed the fruits of his labors. Joe also enjoyed bird hunting and training bird dogs. He traveled extensively to show his bird dogs in competition. His most beloved dog, Dude, was the inspiration the statuette in his front yard. Joe served as the President of the Bird Hunters Association of America and the Vice President of the White County Rebels Square Dance Club. Joe was an excellent bowler, square dancer, fisherman, hunter, little league baseball and peewee football coach.
Joe was devoted to his family and will be dearly missed by many.
Joe is survived by his son, Wm. Joseph “Joey” Cunningham, Jr. (Grace), daughter Mitzi Cunningham Elliott (Randall), grandchildren Marla Rutherford, Chris Felts (KaChera), Kirsten Cunningham, Megan Cunningham, Jakob Elliott; great-grandchildren Taylor Rutherford, Clint Rutherford, Cole Felts, and Cloe Felts. He is predeceased in death by his parents Charles E. Cunningham and Lois Webb, twice widowed; his wife Sue Cunningham (mother of his children) and second wife Amy Cunningham, his brother Charles Cunningham, Jr., sister Wanda Cunningham Brasher, grandson Justin Joseph Felts, and nephew Jeffrey Brasher.
A celebration of life will be held at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 5pm with visitation on Monday, February 17, 2020 from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be sent to The American Spinal Injury Association (www.asia-spinalinjury.org) or The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.
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