Anita Rose Cunningham, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at home surrounded by her family.  She was 81 years old. Anita was born on October 23, 1943, to Albert and Mamie (Fortenberry) Leindecker in Columbia, Mississippi. She grew up in Tylertown, Mississippi, swinging from vines in trees and eating fresh figs right off the branches.  Anita was the oldest of her siblings, Henry, Ralph, Judy, Debbie, and Randy Leindecker, whom she protected and defended fiercely.

Her family moved to South Beloit, Illinois, where Anita graduated from high school and later met the love of her life, David Edward Cunningham, in 1962 at a church revival. They married on June 21, 1963, and their child, Patsy Lou Cunningham, was born in March 1964. In 1967, David, Anita, and Patsy Cunningham moved to Arkansas, planting their family roots.

Anita was a member of Old Union Baptist Church, where she was actively involved.  She was a woman of many talents, from tending to her gardens, canning the fruits of her labor, sewing beautiful quilts for her family and friends, to competing in a bowling league.
Anita was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Ralph and Henry, and her husband of 61 years.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sisters, Judy and Debbie Leindecker, of Edgewater, Florida; her brother, Randy Leindecker, of Beloit, Wisconsin; and her daughter, Patsy Russell, of Sheridan, Arkansas. Her grandchildren, who knew her as "Nanny," include James Russell and wife, Gwen, of Leola, Arkansas; Daniel Russell and wife, Malarie, of Benton, Arkansas; and Katherine Russell of Little Rock, Arkansas. "Nanny's" great-grandchildren include Trenton Russell, Layton Russell, Brandy Harness, Tatum Harness, Louise Russell, Evelyn Russell (James and Gwen Russell), and Bowie Russell (Daniel and Malarie Russell).

A memorial service for Anita Cunningham will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Old Union Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas.