Obituary of Michael Derrick Cunningham

Michael "Derrick" Cunningham, 41, went to be with the Lord Sunday November 6, 2016, after a long battle with cancer. Derrick loved life and lived every day to the fullest even after he was struck down with cancer 7 years ago. He loved to hike, hunt, the Philadelphia Eagles, snowboarding and Colorado. Derrick cared deeply for his family and friends and his greatest love and achieving goal was being the best dad he could to Autumn. He was her biggest basketball fan. Derrick joined the Navy after high school then came home to start a 20+ year painting and excavating business. He loved to move dirt with his beloved purple track hoe. Derrick also loved belonging to the Balsam Willets Fire Department as a volunteer fireman. Derrick is survived by his wife Jamie Tilley Cunningham and daughter Autumn Kylie Cunningham of the home. His son, Hunter Morgan, granddaughters Addison and Kylie all of Sylva. He is the son of Pat and Mike Sluder of Sylva and Johnny M. Cunningham of Webster. Other survivors include his sister Nikki Middleton, nephew Walter Middleton, maternal grandparents LC and Peggy McMahan of Sylva. Derrick was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Zebulon and Bonnie Cunningham. Funeral Services will be held 7:30 pm Tuesday evening November 8 in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services with the Rev. David Burch officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 prior to the Service at the Funeral Home. .