Coastal Staffing LLC is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its founder, Marie Cunningham. A trailblazer in her field, Marie was a visionary leader and passionate entrepreneur who built a thriving staffing company in northeastern North Carolina.
Marie Cunningham’s journey as a female entrepreneur was marked by determination, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her community. She founded Coastal Staffing LLC with a mission to help others achieve stability and opportunity through meaningful employment. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the enduring success of the company she built.
The road to success was not always easy for Marie, but her perseverance and belief in the power of hard work defined her life and career. She inspired others with her vision and dedication, creating opportunities for growth and prosperity for both her employees and clients.
As we mourn the loss of a remarkable leader, we also celebrate her incredible contributions and the lasting impact she has left on our community.
Coastal Staffing LLC remains committed to carrying forward Marie Cunningham’s vision and values. Her legacy will continue to guide the company’s work as it strives to provide exceptional staffing solutions and support the goals of those we serve.
Her son, Alan Cunningham, took over the company’s leadership in 2008. Coastal Staffing LLC currently operates in Ahoskie, Elizabeth City, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, as well as in Emporia, Virginia. To date, Coastal Staffing has worked with nearly 25,000 job seekers and 1,500 business partners to help them obtain their employment goals.
Marie is survived by her son D. Alan Cunningham, Jr. of Point Harbor, NC, and daughter, Julia C. Alley, of Raleigh, NC; two grandsons, Joshua Keith Adcox and Jamey Alan Adcox, of Raleigh, NC; and one great-granddaughter, Hayley Renee Adcox of Winston Salem, NC. Also surviving are brothers Robert Roy Snipes, Jr. and his wife Faye, and David Clyde Snipes, both of Ashland, Virginia; three nieces, Courtney Grey Keyes, Leigh Snipes, and Kim Snipes Perkins; and two nephews, William Keyes and Roy Snipes.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Alan Cunningham of Akron, Ohio; parents, Robert Roy Snipes and Antionette Houston Snipes; sister, Elizabeth Snipes Keyes, all of Ashland, Virginia; daughter, Elizabeth C. Epps of Raleigh, North Carolina; and daughter-in-law, Charlotte Cunningham of Point Harbor, North Carolina.
A service to celebrate Marie’s life and achievements will be held in the Spring of 2025. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Interfaith Community Outreach at interfaithoutreach.com.
