Alice Jeanne Cunningham

Alice Jeanne Cunningham died September 21, 2016 as a result of pancreatic cancer. Alice was born September 23, 1937 in Walnut Ridge, Ark. She was the second of four children of Barbara B. and P.S. Cunningham. Alice is survived by Mary Alice Clower, with whom she shared 56 wonderfully happy years; two sisters, Barbara Broadhurst of Conway, Ark., and Mary Anne Meacham of Marietta, Ga.; and one brother, James P. Cunningham of Carrollton, Ga. She is also survived by six nieces and nephews, and 12 great-nieces and great-nephews. After pre-college education in the public schools in Walnut Ridge, Alice completed undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University and at the University of Arkansas. Her Ph.D. in chemistry from Emory University was conferred in 1966. In 1967-68, she did post-doctoral research with Allen J. Bard at the University of Texas in Austin. From 1984 to 1986 she was a Distinguished Visiting Scholar and Visiting Professor at Emory University. For 25 years, Alice was a member of the faculty of Agnes Scott College, where she was the William Rand Kenan, Jr. Professor of Chemistry. She was also Chair of the department from 1978-90. Throughout her tenure at the college, one of her primary interests was young women's undergraduate education, with emphasis on the importance of undergraduate research in professional preparation. After retirement from the faculty in 1992, she continued to contribute to the field of bioanalytical methodologies through her monograph, Introduction to Bioanalytical Sensors (John Wiley and Sons, 1998). Alice was a member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society; the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and a 50-year member of the American Chemical Society. She served in numerous ACS offices at the local, division (analytical), and national levels of the organization. She was the Georgia Section's representative to the ACS' governing Council from 1978-89. For nine years, she was also a member of the society's Committee on Professional Training which she chaired from 1986-88. This group establishes guidelines for the undergraduate chemical education across the nation and evaluates institutions' adherence to the standards for certified chemists. In 1993, Alice was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) "for outstanding contributions to chemical education, particularly at the national level." Her work in chemical education was also recognized when she received the Honorary Member Award in Scientific Education from Sigma Delta Epsilon-Graduate Women in Science. Alice was a firm believer in the old adage that "all work and no play make Jack a dull boy." She enjoyed life to the fullest. That meant good times with friends, family and former colleagues or students. Whether it was enjoying a new play at the Alliance, planting new flowers in the Memorial Garden at the church, being royalty entertained by good music programs, or basking in the sun on a beautiful day on the golf course, there was always joy and thanksgiving for the gifts of each day. Some of the most treasured times were those relaxed get-togethers at beautiful Lake Burton when funny stories, camaraderie and shared appreciation of nature ruled the days and evenings. One of the posters at the lake house says "A wasted day is a day without laughter". There were no wasted days in Alice Cunningham's life, and laughter was abundant! The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30307, where Alice was a faithful member who served in numerous parish activities and offices through the years. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial gift might consider among charities the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, or the Southeastern Guide Dogs, 4210 77th Street East, Palmetto, Fla. 34221. Arrangements by A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.