Sandra Rae Cunningham

January 18, 1971 - January 30, 2018

Sandra Rae Cunningham, age 47, of Tampa, FL passed away at her home on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 in Tampa. She was born on Monday, January 18, 1971, in Carbondale, IL, the daughter of Floyd E. and Shirley Jean (Combs) Cunningham. Sandra grew up in Marion and was a graduate of Marion High School Class of 1989 and continued her education at John A. Logan College and Southern Illinois University. She last worked as an administrative assistant in the insurance industry. She was very active in political affairs and attended the 2017 Women’s March in St. Petersburg, FL and was an animal rights activist, who dearly loved her cats. She is survived by her mother, Shirley Jean Cunningham of Marion; sister, Denise (Scott) Svetly, Reedsburg, WI; brother, Brian (Janell) Cunningham, Tampa, FL; nephew, Aaron Svetly, Reedsburg, WI; aunt JoAnn Hall, Ferguson, MO; close friends, Rob Nonnweiler, Tonia Dalton, Carol Conley Leeman, and Kelly Nichols, many cousins, her beloved cats Lola and Nicholas, and friends too numerous to list. She was preceded in death by her father; Floyd E. Cunningham on July 19, 2017; her aunt, Margaret Johnson, Percy, IL who was like a grandmother to her; her maternal grandparents, Alex and Winnie Combs; and her paternal grandparents, Floyd F. and Helen Cunningham. Arrangements for Sandra Rae Cunningham were entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion. The visitation was from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 9th and continued from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 10th. During the time of visitation a “Reflection of Life” DVD Memorial Tribute was presented to the family and friends and featured special people, places, and events of Sandra’s life. The funeral service was at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home with Rev. John Hackman presiding. The prelude and postlude musical selections were recorded piano selections. Special recorded vocal musical selections presented during the service were “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton and “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day. Also participating in the service were Brian Cunningham, presenting two poems written by Sandra’s friend, Tonya Dalton, and reading a letter to Sandra, written by Shirley, and Denise Svetly, Kelly Nichols, Marilyn Mitchell, and Carol Conley, all making comments of memory. Interment followed in Egyptian Memorial Gardens Cemetery of Energy, IL. Those serving as pallbearers were Martin Mares, Rob Landes, Jonathan O’Dell, Mike Koechner, Scott Svetly, and Joal Payne. Following the graveside committal service family and friends gathered at the First United Methodist Church for a meal and continued time of fellowship and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions were made to “Cat Haven Rescue” and mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, Marion, IL 62959. Memorial envelopes were available at the funeral home. For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.