OBITUARY Eddie Brice Cunningham
FEBRUARY 17, 1931 – NOVEMBER 25, 2022
IN THE CARE OF
Singing Hills Funeral Home
Eddie Brice Cunningham was born in Buffalo, Texas. The first born of Hattie and Tessie Cunningham. He enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he had an opportunity to see the world. After serving his country he returned home and soon left to attend Howard University where upon graduation had decided that he wanted to practice law. He entered the Howard University School of Law where he developed a tenacity for the pursuit of justice and fairness for all people.
He returned to Fort Worth, Texas and shortly thereafter moved to Dallas to practice law. As a bright, promising attorney looking for an opportunity to help those most in need he joined W.J. Durham in the pursuit of fairness and legal rights working with the NAACP. This was the beginning of a long and well documented legal career. He took part in several civil-rights cases involving school integration, voting rights, and prisoner rights. His legal career brought a number of victories, disappointments and moments of anger in the struggle for civil- rights in the Dallas area. He would say that every journey requires a first step forward. None of those steps were greater than Estes v Metropolitan Branches, Dallas NAACP which was argued before the United States Supreme Court, October 29, 1979.
In addition to his work in civil-rights he was also a prominent criminal attorney, often taking on cases for families that could not afford to pay in full for his services. His professional life only covers a portion of a life well lived. Many knew him from his exploits and victories in the courtroom but even more people knew him for his work within the community. He was a son, a brother, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather.
These words reflect the man who did not like the name Eddie and preferred to be called “Brice”.
“Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right and forget about those who don’t.
Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life embrace it.
Nobody said life would be easy. But I assure you it is worth it.”
