Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 15, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Shirley Cauble Cunningham died on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at Sharon Towers in Charlotte, NC.  She was born on July 22, 1930, in Hickory, NC.

Shirley lived in Hickory for 85 years before moving to Charlotte.   She met and married Ralph Cunningham who was playing baseball for the Hickory Rebels, a farm team of the New York Giants.  A lifelong educator, Shirley was both a teacher and principal.  She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory and her Master’s in Education from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.  Shirley taught at Mountain View Elementary School for 31 years and retired as principal there in 1989.

Shirley and her husband, Ralph were active members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hickory.  She served the church by singing in the choir as well as serving on numerous councils and committees.  Shirley was instrumental in establishing and organizing the Adult and Children’s Libraries at Holy Trinity.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Sue Castelloe and her husband, Jerry; son, Lee Cunningham and his wife, Brenda; five grandchildren, Andrew Castelloe and his wife, Brooke, Suzanne Castelloe, Taylor Cunningham, Morgan Cunningham and Kallen Cunningham.  Also surviving are her three great-grandchildren, Davis, Finley, and Hayes Castelloe; her sister, Kathy Price and her husband, Jerry; sister-in-law, Martha Cauble, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Shirley and Ralph will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Shirley to the Library Fund at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 547 6^th Street NW, Hickory, NC 28601 or the Residents Assistance Fund at Sharon Towers, 5100 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, or Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, PO Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.