Paul E. Cunningham, son of the late Asa and Pearl Reynolds Cunningham, was born near Parma, Missouri on April 5, 1929, and passed away at his home in Sikeston, Missouri on May 13, 2012, at the age of 83.

Mr. Cunningham moved to Parma in 1972, and moved to Sikeston four years ago. He was a retired Command Sgt. Major of the U. S. Army, serving 23 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Parma.

On June 20, 1954, he married Bobby O. Denson in Hernando, Mississippi. She preceded him in death on March 29, 2004. He continued his life in Sikeston with his fiance', Louise Brown.

Surviving; one son, Robert Wayne Cunningham of New Madrid; two daughters, Paula Renee Hutchens of Union City, Tennessee, Pamela Jo Graves of Kennett; five grandchildren, Bobbie Jean Bibbs, Misty Lightner, Alicia Powell, Jarrett Kirk and Leslie Cunningham; ten great grandchildren; three brothers, Archie Cunningham of Lovington, New Mexico, Bill and Jack Cunningham both of Wappapello; two sisters, Normanleen Hart and Blanch Adams both of Wappapello. Other family and friends also survive.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Nadine Ross and Lillian Burnett, and brother, Joe Cunningham.

Visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at the First Baptist Church in Parma.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 17, 2012, at the First Baptist Church in Parma, Rev. Dean Medlin of Parma officiating.

Interment will be in the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors. Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Parma in charge of arrangements.