BOMA, TN — Betty Ann Terrell Cunningham, 85, of the Boma community in Tennessee, died Sunday morning, Jan. 6, 2013, at her home.

She was born Aug. 30, 1927, in Ashland, to the late Jack and Lula Bryant Terrell.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Clyde E. Cunningham, on Oct. 18, 2006.

Betty Ann was a pearl of a lady. A gifted 15-month-old baby, she was chosen through adoption by Jack and Lula Terrell and went on to make an impact on the world! Gifted in art, voice and music, by age 5 she was playing piano in church and used the gift of art and music throughout her life, from local to state to national levels, from spiritual to school, community and civic events.

She graduated and received an art scholarship from Wilbur Wright High School in Dayton, Ohio. She worked at a Dayton newspaper; Wilbur Wright Aerial Institute; Georgia Shoe Co.; Elmores Grocery; Dr. Hartman, a chiropractic physician; Putnam County education; and in sales and public relations for the J.C. Penney Co. for 14 years.

She served the Christian Women Connection, an international women’s mission organization, on local, state and national levels. She was a trailblazer to help startup units in much of Tennessee and Kentucky. Recently, she received a one-time award, the Oak Leaf Award, for her service to Christian Women Connection.

 She served in many ministries, from youth, women’s organizations and administration. She and her husband together conducted more than 1,000 weddings and funerals and more than 1,000 combined state meetings, revivals, conventions and seminars in 13 states. They served as senior pastors at Boma First Church of God for 27 years.

Survivors include four daughters and sons-in-law, Jo and Ed Frazier of Cookeville, Tenn., Jeanie and Winnell A. “Tony” Lee, Sherry Jones and Gayle Cunningham, all of Baxter, Tenn.; a son, Clyde Cunningham Jr. and companion Edith Ealey of Baxter; eight grandchildren, Beth Ann Kelley, Shea Lee, Jason Lee, Sean Harley, DeCher Harley, Angela Eads, Shane Watson and Leslie Anderson; and 11 great-grandchildren, Parker and Paisley Kelley, Jay and Logan Lee, Elliott and Audrey Lee, Austin and Jacob Harley, Annagayle Harley and Alainey and Macy Watson.

The funeral will be at 6 p.m. today, Jan. 8, 2013, at Boma First Church of God by the Rev. Tim Sharp and the Rev. Rex Boles. A private family graveside service will be Wednesday at Smellage Memory Gardens by the Rev. Fred Hawkins and the Rev. Archie Whitefield.

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, and will receive friends after 10 a.m. today at Boma First Church of God. There will be no visitation at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Sean, Austin and Jacob Harley, Shea, Jason, Jay and Logan Lee, Shane Watson, Shane Kelley, Joey Eads and Bruce Hoese.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Caris Hospice, 2525 Highway 111 N., Algood, TN 38506 or the Boma First Church of God Building Fund, 10630 Old Baxter Road, Baxter, TN 38544.

Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call (931) 858-2134.

Condolences may be sent to hhhfunerals.com.