Shirley A. Cunningham's Obituary
Shirley Ann Cunningham was born in Calexico, California to Clyde Blake and Bernice [Calbert-Blake] Corley on February 26th, 1940. Unfortunately, her father passed way when Shirley was very young. Shirley grew up and attended school in San Diego, California . She and Elbert Cunningham, Sr. were united in marriage, and two beautiful children were born of their union: a daughter, Debora and a son, Elbert, Jr.Shirley worked as a Nurse’s Aide for a short period of time. After receiving her Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 1978 from National University in San Diego, she was employed by the University of California San Diego in the Student Affairs Office in their Early Outreach Program where she completed 35 years of service. Shirley’s greatest passion was the responsibility for the development, coordination and implementation of the Early Outreach Program which served approximately 5,000 high school students annually with a buget of $196,000. Shirley supervised a staff of 23 employees whom she recruited, andshe trained college students as Counselor Aides. Shirley served and assisted many young people, setting them on a path of success, She also strived to see her nieces and nephews succeed in life.Shirley was a member of Bayview Baptist Church. She loved going to church, gathering with her family during special times, and traveling with friends throughout the years.On May 13th, 2017, Shirley was called from the labor of life to eternal rest. Her parents and sister, Sheila Corley preceeded her in death. Shirley is survived by her two children, Debora L. Garner and Elbert L. Cunningham, Jr., and her grandson, Eric D. Mitchell; her siblings, Gloria Smith, Kathryn Nash, Artie Corley, Brenda Allen, Rodney Corley (Nadine); her special “gentleman friend” Ray Sayer, and a host of relatives and close friends who will all mourn her passing and celebrate her life.The family is having a Viewing on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 07:00 PM at Greenwood Mortuary located at 4300 Imperial Avenue in San Diego, California 92113. Then there will be a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, May 24th, 2017 at 10:00 AM in Greenwood’s Garden Chapel, at the same address.
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