Willie Dean (Willadean) Cunningham Cole-Younger was born to the late Mr. Ira

Cunningham Sr. and Mrs. Pearlene Rhodes-Cunningham on April 30, 1939 in Florence,

Alabama.

After being ill for approximately two and a half years, she then boarded her heavenly

flight home, on the morning of February 4, 2019 at her residence.

Affectionately known by several names, "Granny," GrannyDean, Dean, and

Mommanem….

"Dean" attended Burrell Slater High School in Florence where she was the Secretary of

her Junior II class, a Majorette of the BSHS Band and a member of the BSHS track team.

Two of her greatest educational achievements were completing a Certified Nurses Aide

Training and she was also the First African American Female to complete the Sales Clerk

Training with K-Mart in Florence.

Since 1986 "Dean" was an active member, in good standing, with The Alpha Pi Chi

Sorority Inc-Kappa Phi Chapter.

"Dean" was an active lifelong member of the Mt. Moriah P.B. Church, where she

accepted Christ, as her Lord and Savior and was baptized by the Rev. C.A. Crump during the

summer of 1949.

On March 22, 2009 "Mommanem" was united in Holy matrimony to Deacon Isaac

Younger Jr.

During her lifetime she worked for various business establishments. From a short order

cook with Pancake House Florence, to a Doctor's receptionist, a layaway manager with K-Mart

and 20 total years of service as a merchandise receiver with WalMart, until retirement in 2010.

A favorite pastime hobby of her's was interior decorating, which came easy. Not only

within the home, but decorating for weddings, church events and other special functions, made

"Mommanem" a highly sought after source.

"Mommanem" was not just your average church worker, but went beyond the norm of

Christian service. To list a few, she was faithful, loyal and dedicated as a Sunday school

secretary, President of the Mattie L. Duncan and the Mt. Moriah Choir, Mt. Moriah Youth

Director, BTU Director/Teacher and she was also able to successfully reorganized the Mt.

Moriah Children's Daycare.

She had a musical ear and was "blessed" to sing all parts, but her favorite part was

"alto..." As a result of her love of singing and music it produced a lifelong involvement with

singing groups such as the Muscle Shoals Mass Choir under the Director Priscilla Thomas,

Golden Voices (Priscilla Thomas/Harvey Thompson Jr.,) The Quad Cities Mass Choir under the

Director Dwight Winston; where she served as President for many years, The Shoals Praise and

Worship Choir under the Directors Fred Herndon and David Russell, The Handy Community

Choir (Priscilla Thomas/Reginald Thomas, Dwight Brown & the Adoration Singers and Reggie

Thomas and Friends.

To say the least, "Granny Dean" was an inspirational supporter also of other singing

groups, especially when it came to the children.

Known to be able to put something together in the kitchen... Dishes such as: Crockpot

Chicken and Dressing, Fall-off the Bone Pork Chop, Dime Thin Homemade Biscuits, Cast Iron

Buttermilk Cornbread, Sweet Potato Pie and her signature Orange Juice Sweet Tea! And don't

forget those creamy smooth mash potatoes (instant?), just to mention a few. When it came to

cooking "Mommanem's" cooking was soo good! As a family, we feel that "Mommanem" was the

Momma who epitomized the phrase, "Make you want to slap yo momma…"

On the other hand, outside of the kitchen "Mommanem" could also put some things

together when it came to fashion and wardrobe. As a matter-of-fact, her "closets" were full of

boxes, not empty boxes, but with shoes galore and each pair of shoes complimented at least

one "well put together outfit…"

Willadean was preceded in death by her parents Ira Sr., and Pearlene Cunningham,

grandparents Bossie and Pearl Rhodes, husband William L. Cole Sr., and Thomas L.Cole Sr.,

two daughters Debra Arnette Sutton and Sheena Lynelle Cole.

Willadean leaves to cherish her memory: husband Isaac Younger Jr., sons William L.

(Renee) Cole Jr., Providence, RI; Elder Rickie R. Cole, Carlos Leroy Cole, Bruce R. (JoAnn)

Younger Washington, DC; daughters Denica S. Cole Biloxi, MS; Gwendolyn M. Cherry

(Charles) Huntsville, AL; Donna C. (Errol) Brown Tampa, FL; Bessie Thomas; Kim

Johnson-Garner; Aretha King all of Florence, AL; two sisters: Virginia (LaFayette) Hill, Helen

Lee Ingram, Syracuse, NY; one brother Ira (Corinna) Cunningham Jr., Lima, OH; and a faithful

daughter-in-law Audrey Jones-Cole; eight grandchildren : Charles J. (Erica) Cole ; DeMarquis

Q. (Elizabeth) Cole Boaz, AL; Antoine Omar Cole; Rickie R. Jr., Jennings Providence, RI;

Derrick Franklin Charlotte, NC; Ashley S. Cole Cranston, RI; Aaliyah A. Cole; Ricondo I. Cole

Providence, RI; thirteen great grandchildren: Julian, Kendrick, Tryvale, Tyler, Ania N., TyAjah,

Jacob, Briella, Jacob A., Patience, Anaya E., Rickie and Hazelea; four great great

grandchildren: Julian (Juve), Kalli, Mason and JaKari; one aunt : Mrs. Lillie Cunningham

Florence, AL; favorite cousin : Mrs. Johnnie Lee Smith Clarksville, TN; a host of nieces,

nephews, cousins and friends.