The Reverend Dr. Roland Davis Cunningham, Jr. came into this world on December 13, 1944 in Fairmont, North Carolina to the late Rev. Roland Davis Cunningham, Sr. and Ethel Sessoms Cunningham.  He made his triumphant transition to glory on Friday, January 28, 2022 with his eyes looking toward to Heaven.  He was known to be a welcoming, compassionate, and patient individual throughout his life and ministry.

He accepted Christ and was baptized at a young age at First Baptist Church of Fairmont, North Carolina.  He answered God's call to serve in ministry and Dr. Cunningham was ordained to the Gospel ministry by the Lumber River Baptist Association, Hilly Branch Church of Lumberton, North Carolina in June 1974. His ministry led him to serve as pastor of Union Baptist Church in Ashland, Virginia where he served faithfully in this capacity from March 1978 until his retirement in 2011.  He was a man of prayer who loved God's people genuinely and served them diligently.  He was a mentor, father figure as well as a role model and Christian leader. During his pastorate, he was former president of the Tri-County Ministers Conference, President of the Alumni Association (Richmond Chapter) and Adjunct Professor of Virginia Seminary and College of Caroline County, Virginia.

Dr. Cunningham grew up in North Carolina, where he received his elementary and secondary school education. He joined the military following high school, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957.  He met and married the late Mrs. Betty Jo Norris Cunningham of Greenville, SC and remained married to her until her death in 2010.

In the 1960's, he received an Associate of Arts degree from Malcolm X Community College of Chicago, Illinois and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Virginia Union University, Richmond.  In the 1970's, he received a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He continued his studies at Virginia Union University School of Theology and completed post graduate work at Virginia Commonwealth University Continuing Education program.  In the 1980's, he received his Master and Doctor of Divinity from Virginia Seminary and College of Lynchburg, Virginia. Dr. Cunningham's career was dedicated to various positions within the social work and human services field.  In the later years, he entered the social sciences education field serving as an adjunct instructor for Virginia Commonwealth University, associate professor and program head of Community and Social Services curriculum at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, Virginia from where he retired.  He was always willing to assist anyone who needed help. If asked a question he always gave his undivided attention. He was loved by all of the students and staff.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Betty Jo Norris Cunningham; daughter, Cheryl Cunningham, and by both of his parents.

To cherish his memory, he leaves two children: son, Roland Davis Cunningham, III and daughter, Erin Regina Cunningham and brother, Reverend Dr. Channing Presley Cunningham as well as of other relatives, ministry colleagues and dear friends whose lives have been enriched and forever changed because of his life and legacy.