From the Cunningham files of Legacy Keepers Sandra Scott and Janis McCoy
Rhoda Frances South was born July 1, 1862 to Tillman South and Jerusha Stewart South in Fayette County, Alabama. She married William Joseph “Joe” Cunningham and had three sons. She died of a tumor which was operated on in Memphis, Tennessee on July 1, 1897. This was the only time she left home in her entire life and the furthermost she ever traveled.
A few minutes before her death, she requested that her husband marry her cousin Lela Russell, which he did within 3 1/2 months after her death. Lela was a distant cousin.
Rhoda was born and died on the same day of the year within 30 minutes of the same time and within a mile of where she was born. Her father had deeded the couple some of his land at the time of their marriage and they had built their house on it.
