Else Cunningham

Else Cunningham, aged 78, passed away on February 16, 2025, in Sylva, North Carolina. She was born on May 11, 1946, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Else lived many years in Rockledge, Florida before moving full time to her cabin in the mountains near Sylva, North Carolina. There she found great joy in her gardens, greenhouse and canning what she grew. Else’s life long passion of plants and animals carried on throughout her later years. She was an avid reader including daily bible passages, enjoyed an old movie, kept up with the current political environment and became fully entranced with online coloring.

Her love may have looked different at times but Else had a profound impact on many lives both human and animal. Her loss will be greatly felt by both her traditional family and her “found” family on the mountain.

Else was preceded in death by her spouse, Gary Cunningham, and her mother, Robbie Jensen. She leaves behind a loving family, including her children Krista Mayfield (Matt), Kevin Wiley (Sherri), Kirk Wiley (Tia), Kyle Wiley, and her step-children Julie Cunningham, Daniel Cunningham, Donald Cunningham, Gary Cunningham II (Carice), Lori Boozer (Doug); and her cherished 18 grandchildren.

Else will find her final resting place in Rockledge, Florida at Florida Memorial Garden with the love of her life Gary and her beloved Mother Robbie. The family has not specified a charity for donations, suggesting that those wishing to honor Else’s memory may consider a contribution to a cause that reminds them of her.