Alfred Leslie Cunningham -- Shoe Factory Employee

 

Alfred Leslie Cunningham

Alfred Leslie Cunningham was born on September  19, 1927 on Beechy Fork Creek in Trigg County, Kentucky.  He was the third of six children of George Clyde Cunningham and Robbie Bell Bridges Cunningham. Clyde was a farmer and both he and Robbie were natives of Trigg County.  Alfred Leslie was a descendant of Cullen Bridges, Cullen Thomas and Starkie Bridges. 

Alfred’s siblings were Aubrey Hershel Cunningham, born in 1923 and married Anna Josephine Calhoun and later married Velina Guess England; Albert Dale Cunningham, born in 1925 and died in World War II; Dolly Mae Cunningham, born in1930 and married William Ray Stokes and later married Thomas Davis Rawlins; Martha Rhea Cunningham, born in 1934 and married Charles Robert Quarles; and Mava Dale Cunningham, born in 1946 and married Paul Raymond Brown.

Alfred grew up in the Maple Grove community and attended the local rural schools.  Alfred earned the nickname of “Pee Wee” in school.  In January 1951 Alfred enlisted In the U.S. Army.  He went to basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  He was then sent overseas to Bremerhaven, Germany in August of 1952 and then was sent to Aschaffenburg, Germany where he was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division.  He served there until he was discharged from the army in January 1953.

On May 27, 1950, Alfred married Joe Hazel Bush.  Joe was born on July 14, 1935 in Trigg County, the daughter of William Amos “Stub” Bush and Irene Louise Bullock Bush.  William was a farmer and both he and Irene were natives of Trigg County. 

After leaving the military, Alfred and Joe settled in Hopkinsville, Kentucky where Alfred went to work at the International Shoe Company.  He worked there for 35 years until the plant closed.  He then went to work for the International Paper Company in Hopkinsville.  Joe Hazel also worked at the International Shoe Company until she retired after working there for 28 years.  After her retirement she worked as a hostess at the Hunan Restaurant in Hopkinsville.

Alfred and Joe Hazel had no children.

Joe Hazel died on January 28, 2007 at the age of 71 at the Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville of an apparent heart attack.  She was buried in the Siloam Cemetery in Trigg County.  Alfred died on April 5, 2021 at the age of 93 at his home.  He was buried in the Siloam Cemetery next to his wife.

Joe Hazel

Alfred and Joe tombstone

LINEAGE:  (Alfred Leslie Cunningham was the son of George Clyde and Robbie Bell Bridges Cunningham.  George Clyde was the third child of Elmer Elsworth “Ell” and Rosa Lee Bridges Cunningham.  Rosa Lee was the seventh child of Cullen T. and Martha Ann Virginia Thomas Bridges.  Cullen was the twelfth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.  Robbie Bell was the second child of Drew Manley and Lena Mae Guier Bridges.  Drew Manley was the seventh child of Starkie T. and Elizabeth Lawrence Bridges.  Starkie was the second child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.  Martha Ann was the third child of Peyton and Sarah Ethridge Thomas.  Peyton was the third child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas.  Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)