Funeral services announced for former school board member Jesse “Jay” Cunningham
Funeral services for business owner and former DeKalb County school board member Jesse “Jay” Cunningham will be April 16 at The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church at noon.
Cunningham, 58, died April 6 of cardiac related issues, according to the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office. Cunningham, who owned Jesse’s Restaurant & Lounge on Wesley Chapel Road, served on the school board for eight years (2005-2013). Dr. Eugene Walker, who served along side Cunningham on the school board for five years, said Cunningham’s death is a loss for the community.
“Jay was a real high-energy individual,” Walker said. “In my mind, he was overly-committed to securing the best opportunities possible for our children in DeKalb County. He was an advocate for public education, specifically for our children in DeKalb County, and I’ve always respected his commitment to that challenge. His energy and commitment will be missed. He clearly placed our young people first, in my opinion, in just about everything he did.”
In 2016, Cunningham opened Jesse’s Restaurant & Lounge, a table service eatery that features live entertainment and international cuisine. He told The Champion why he decided to open the restaurant.
“I grew up in south DeKalb County. I care about this area. I want the people who live here to have nice dining options,” Cunningham said. “A couple on a date or a group of friends getting together for an evening out shouldn’t have to drive 15 or 20 miles from where they live to be served a high-quality plated dinner and a cocktail.”
Cunningham had years of experience in the food service industry, beginning in fast food, where he has worked both in a corporate office and as a franchise owner with DaVido’s Pizza. Walker said he last spoke to Cunningham a couple of months ago and he mentioned his restaurant.
“He spoke to me about some of the things he was working on—trying to work with young people and trying to get started on reenergizing his restaurant,” he said. “We had a nice conversation. He was in great spirits.”
Cunningham also tried to get back in public service, running for the Stonecrest City Council District 4 seat last year, which was won by George Turner.
Visitation for Cunningham will be held April 15, noon to 7 p.m., at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes, 4347 Flat Shoals Road in Decatur, and a wake service will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home’s chapel. He will be laid to rest at Hillandale Memorial Gardens in Lithonia following the funeral service April 16.
