Johnnie Pearl Cunningham was born August 19, 1967, to the union of John and Annie Cunningham in Macon, MS. She was the middle of four boys and three girls.

Johnnie Pearl accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized early in her youth.

She graduated from Noxubee County High School in 1985, and attended East Mississippi Community College shortly thereafter. She came to Columbus in 1986 after college where she began working at Johnston Tombigbee Furniture Company and remained there for 13 years as an employee. Her favorite pastime was listening to music and enjoying quality time with a host of friends and family, when she wasn't doing crossword puzzles. Her most important job in life was being a mother to her sons, and being the primary caretaker of her youngest son Mateo up until her untimely death.

For all who knew Johnnie Pearl, knew that she was blunt, unapologetic, kind, morally strict, a true believer, wise, good hearted, and faithful friend. She spent many days and nights conversing with friends and family, as well as counseling them on ways to improve their situations. She always seemed to have an answer or know what to say at the correct moment. One of her favorite things to say was... "I'm all the way live!" as she drank her Miller Lite and let the good music play as she sat on the porch or in her house in her favorite chair with her favorite beer glass.

She is survived by her two sons; US Navy Aviation Structural Mechanic First Class (AM1) JaMarcus J. Cunningham of Iwakuni, Japan, and Mateo D. Stubbe of Columbus, MS; two grandchildren, Rielle Cunningham of Corcoran, CA, and Jayce G. Cunningham of Hanford, CA; two brothers, James Cunningham of Columbus, MS, and Bernard Harmon of Shuqualak, MS; one sister; Margaret Cunninghan of Brooksville, MS; and a host of great uncles and aunties, nephews, nieces, cousins, great nephews, and great nieces.

She was a shining light in the lives of many, and a true unshakable friend to all who met her. As a mother she made the sacrifices necessary and persevered through trials and tribulations, but she always let everyone know her boys were her joy. She will be greatly missed here on this earthly plane by all. Farewell "MA!" Farewell "MY GREATEST FRIEND!"