Rev. Manuel Eli Cunnup

Rev. Manuel Eli Cunnup, 91, of 415 Hillcrest Avenue, Goldston went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at White Oak Manor, Burlington. Mr. Cunnup was born January 2, 1921 at Fort Mill, SC the son of John James and Alice (Wright) Cunnup. He was a veteran of the Army Air Corp having served during WWII. Rev. Cunnup attended Campbell University and Wake Forest University. He received a BA in History from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rev. Cunnup served as pastor in Rock Springs Baptist Church, New Salem Baptist, Mays Chapel Baptist, Sandy Branch Baptist and Magnolia Street Baptist Church. He served as interim pastor at Eller Memorial Baptist and Clifton Road Baptist. During his pastorates he served in numerous other capacities including, Director of Missions for the Sandy Creek Baptist Association, 10 years with the Piedmont Baptist Association, interim director of Alamance County Missions, and on the General Board of The Baptist State Convention. Rev. Cunnup also served as a Trustee at Wake Forest University and as the Mission Committee Coordinator of NC Prison Ministries. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Painter Cunnup. Rev. Cunnup was awarded the Good Shepherd Award for Distinguished Service of Boy Scouts by the National Association of Boy Scouts. In his spare time he enjoyed outdoor activities including golf, carpentry and camping. He is survived by three sons: Steve Cunnup of Goldston, NC, David Cunnup and wife, Frances of Hurdle Mills, Tim Cunnup and wife, Camille of Goldston, NC; grandchildren, Jenny and Brian Bowes, Chance and Jill Cunnup, Chad and Kristy Horner, Katlyn Cunnup and Hannah Cunnup; great-grandchildren, Brady and Abby Cunnup, Kate, Collin and Ella Horner, Gracen and Macee Bowes. The family will receive friends Saturday, July 14, 2012 from 6 to 8 PM at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC and other times at 415 Hillcrest Avenue, Goldston. The funeral will be Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 3:00 PM at Sandy Branch Baptist Church, 715 Sandy Branch Church Road, Bear Creek with Rev. Bob Wachs, Rev. Marc Sanders and Rev. Thomas Simpson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Military Rites by the Randolph County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association, Carolina Piedmont Chapter, 3420 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215. Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com.