Eunice Ann (Cunningham) Kittle

Eunice Ann (Cunningham) Kittle

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Ev’rywhere, I go, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine.”

Make no mistake, Eunice Ann Kittle is now in heaven praising her Savior with her beautiful gift of music. She is either singing, or playing the piano, or directing the choir, or all the above, because what she did while she was on this earth has now been made perfect in the presence of God. Her heavenly Father was probably looking forward to the day, as much as Eunice was, that he could face her and say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Thank you for always letting your light shine and teaching others to do the same.” And let her light shine, she did.

Eunice was an inspiration to her family, friends, and community. She graduated from Thomas More College on May 11, 1991 with an Associate Degree in General Studies and was inducted into the Southeastern Indiana Music Hall of Fame on October 1, 2003. During her 33 years of teaching in the Ohio County school system, Eunice touched the lives of thousands of students, parents, and coworkers. Each person can share fond memories of time shared with Eunice.

Students remember how Eunice made music relevant to them through singing at the annual Christmas Bazaars, local community events, and church events; accompanying them in band or singing competitions; as a piano teacher, school musical coach, and humanities teacher; and maybe the most memorable – music class – causing, to this day, former students to still hear renditions of Old Dan Tucker, Swingin’, Joy to the World (both versions), and Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67 dancing through their minds. Eunice’s service to students did not stop at school, either. She led a singing group called The New Tomorrows for 25 years and sang in a group called The Revelations – both of which traveled all over the region spreading God’s love through song. The thing about Eunice as a school music teacher, voice teacher, and choir director is that she always encouraged each person to sing out. She knew that God had blessed each person with a song in their heart and to him, and Eunice, every person made a joyful noise.

Eunice’s heart to serve was unmatched, and she was always willing to help anyone who asked her for anything. Truly, she set the bar for service and made no excuses. Eunice sang the National Anthem for the Cincinnati Reds among scores of other organizations and events throughout her lifetime, including weddings for countless couples. She pushed through all sorts of sickness, including breast cancer, to honor her commitments to service. She had suffered from a skin condition on her hands, and it was not uncommon to see her wiping blood from the keys as she continued to play through the pain. Her ability to serve with this kind of depth and commitment came from her relationship with God.

Eunice taught Sunday School, led the choir, played the piano, and always made sure she had taken care of the music for her church, Bethel Unity Baptist Church; she rarely missed a day. In fact, she played piano up until only seven weeks before she went home to be with the Lord at 80 years old, on May 31, 2021. She loved God with all her heart, and Eunice’s life is a testament to the true character of God. Every person Eunice touched will miss her, especially her beautiful family and the love of her life for 62 years, George.  

Knowing how Eunice lived her life, one can imagine these as her parting words:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8

Eunice was born in Switzerland County, IN to Joseph and Elizabeth (Jones) Cunningham, both of whom preceded her in death. Eunice is survived by her husband, George Kittle (m. September 21, 1958); by her daughters, Katherine Elizabeth Henderson and husband Mark Henderson and Carla Jo Wells and husband Tony Wells; by her four grandchildren, Abigail Katherine, Elizabeth Ann, Brandon Ray and Taylor Ann and her 2 great grandchildren, Kana`loa and Noa.  Eunice was preceded in death by her sister Kathy Sue Works in 2014.

Funeral services will be 1 PM, Friday, June 4th at Markland Funeral Home in Rising Sun, IN with Rev. James Jackson officiating. Visitation will be 11AM - 1PM on Friday, June 4th at Markland Funeral Home. Burial will be at Rising Sun New Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Bethel Unity Baptist Church or to the Eunice Kittle Performing Arts Fund through the Ohio County Community Foundation (checks payable to OCCF). marklandfuneralhome.com

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