(1906 – 1976)
Orean Pearl Cunningham was born in Gregory, Arkansas, on April 18, 1903. After graduation in 1930 from Philander Smith College High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, she taught third and fourth grades in Gregory for several years. Later, she came to Alabama and enrolled at Tuskegee University, receiving a B.S. degree in 1937.
Miss Cunningham taught home economics in several Alabama high schools from 1937 to 1949. On January 1, 1950, she was appointed Home Demonstration Agent in Lowndes County. She served the people in Lowndes County for twenty-three years.
Orean had a love for people, especially young people. The Extension clientele remembers her for her outstanding work with 4-H’ers, who were always well-trained for district and state awards programs.
She was a role model for homemakers and 4-H club girls, leading them into careers in home economics as well as becoming better homemakers themselves. Many people in Lowndes County are better off because of Extension educational programs conducted by Miss Cunningham. She retired from this position on April 30, 1973.
In tribute to her accomplishments, the name Orean P. Cunningham is lovingly inscribed on the dedicatory plaque of the Extension Memorial Chapel.
Chapel Plaque Inscription Number: 103
