Person:May Boss (1)

Mrs. May Cunningham, 84, widow of John Cunningham, died in her home, 758 S. Bluff street, at 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
She was the daughter of Joseph Boss and Aurilla Frances Rogers Boss, and was born April 27, 1859, in Little Genesee, a small village "between the hills" of Allegany county, N. Y. She had one brother who died in infancy and one brother, George R. Boss, Milton, who survives; also a half-sister and two half-brothers who are deceased.
Her father died on her 13th birthday, and a few years later, at age 21, she came to Milton with her mother and one brother, George R. Boss, in order that she and her brother might attend Milton college. While attending Milton college she met her future husband, John Cunningham, to whom she was married on Nov. 28, 1888. There were born of this marriage three sons: Joseph, who died in infancy; Roger G. Cunningham and Robert J. Cunningham, both of whom are practicing attorneys in Janesville.
Her husband, John Cunningham, was a prominent member of the bar of Rock county from the date of his admission on May 2, 1888, until his death on July 18, 1916, and at the time of his death had been president of the Rock County Bar association since 1911. Her two sons have been practicing law since 1915 and 1918, respectively. It was thus a unique feature of her life that her husband and her two sons were all active members of the Rock county bar.
She was a devoted wife and mother, and her whole life had been dedicated to Christian service, especially in the field of Christian and religious education. At the age of 12 she joined the Seventh Day Baptist church at Little Genesee, and at 19 began teaching in the Bible school, having at that time a class of 26 small boys. Upon coming to Milton in 1880 she transferred her membership to the Seventh Day Baptist church there, which membership she retained until her death, although she had been a regular attendant and faithful worker in the First Baptist church of Janesville since 1888.
At Milton she taught in the public schools and also in the primary department of the church Bible school. In 1896 she began teaching a class of boys and young men in the First Baptist church at Janesville and continued in this service continuously for approximately 19 years. The enrollment in this class varied from about 20 to 26 and the number enrolled upon the all-time roster is approximately 126, of whom 28 were enrolled in the military service during World War I.
About 1915 or 1916 she gave up her "young men's" class, but about a year later, Nov. 4, 1917, the "Good-Will" class of women was organized and thereafter for approximately 24 years she served continuously as the teacher of this class. Thus, for approximately 54 years of her life she was continuously engaged in the field of religious education.
In July of 1899 she joined the International Order of Kings' Daughters and Sons and continued active in this organization until her death. During this period she served not only the Sunshine circle as president, and in other various offices, but she was also active in the Wisconsin branch, and for five years held the office of president of the state association. On Feb. 3, 1939, an additional circle of the Kings' Daughters was organized in Janesville and this circle was named in her honor as the "May Cunningham Circle." This circle has since her death, taken action whereby a suitable gift or monument to her memory will be purchased and installed in the Kings' Daughters Home at Sheboygan.
In 1892 she joined the social organization of women known as the Current Topics club and continued as a faithful and active member until her death.
On the occasion of her 80th birthday on April 27, 1939 her family arranged a reception or open-house in her honor, and approximately 150 people attended. In addition she received more than 30 telegrams, letters and cards of congratulations and best wishes.
Because of her long life of unselfish Christian service, her high character and capacity for friendship, she had attained an unusual number of lasting friends, and was loved by all who knew her.
Surviving are her two sons and brother; four grandchildren, June Marie Cunningham, a teacher in the high school at Lake Geneva; John R. Cunningham, a cadet in the army aviation in advanced training at Marfa, Rex.; and Patricia and William Cunningham, students in the Janesville high school. Two grandchildren, Donald Roger Cunningham and Janet Ann Cunningham, preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held on the Overton funeral home at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The pall-bearers will be former members of her Young Men's class. Friends may call at the funeral home Monday evening. The Rev. Carroll Hill, pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist church, Milton, and the Rev. Carl McAllister, First Baptist church, will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

May, daughter of Joseph and Aurilla Frances Rogers Boss, was born April 27, 1859, in Little Genesee, N. Y., and passed away at her late home in Janesville, Wis., February 20, 1944.
She was married to John Cunningham November 28, 1888, and they made their home in Janesville. To them were born three sons: Joseph, who died in infancy, and Roger and Robert, both of whom are practicing attorneys in Janesville. Mr. Cunningham, himself an attorney, passed away July 18, 1916.
She was baptized at the age of twelve and became a member of the Little Genesee Seventh Day Baptist Church, transferring her membership to Milton. In 1940, at the centennial of the Milton Church, she was one of thirteen members who at that time had held membership in the Milton Church for at least fifty years.
She is survived by her brother, George Boss, of Milton, her sons, and by four grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Carl MacAllister of Janesville, Rev. Hal Norton of Milwaukee, and Rev. Carroll L. Hill of Milton. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Janesville. C. L. H.