Uncrowned Community Builders

The oldest of twelve children, Marie Henderson was born in Minton, Florida on August 12, 1879. Her parents were Robert and Lucinda Terrell Henderson. She was married to Tilmon Crosby and the two had seven children.

In 1917 the family moved to Ohio. In her hometown Mrs. Crosby had been very involved in her church, Allen Temple AME and in her new home was one of several individuals who organized the St. Andrews AME Church. She served as a Stewardess of the church, a missionary, Sunday School teacher among other responsibilities. In 1918, Mrs. Crosby married Mr. Cunningham. The family moved to Buffalo in 1935.

In Buffalo, Mrs. Cunningham joined the Gethsemane Baptist Church as a founding member. She was actively involved in this church for the rest of her life including serving as the President of the Missionary Society, the Senior Choir and other church groups. Mrs. Cunningham was known as "Mother Cunningham" as she was a generous, helpful woman who opened her home to many in need in the community. In her obituary it was said that her home could have been called "the House by the Side of the Road".

Mrs. Cunningham's daughter was Mary Crosby Chappelle, a well-known educator, journalist, club woman, orator and civil rights leader. Mrs. Chappelle lived to be 100 years old. Her biography is on this site. One of Mrs. Cunningham's sons, Robert Crosby, died shortly before her and they were buried one week apart.


Mrs. Cunningham is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York.