Shanlanda Faye Hill

Our beloved Shanlanda Faye Hill was a loving mother, stepmother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She departed this world unexpectedly on Monday, May 29, 2023, in Waynesville, Missouri at the age of 60. Shanlanda was born in Marksville, Louisiana on August 28, 1962, to Van Cunningham Jr. and Dora Beverly (Jones) Cunningham-Greene. She spent the first four years of her life in Louisiana before the family moved to the Pulaski County, Missouri area where she spent most of her life. Shanlanda was an excellent student attending school in the Waynesville R-VI School District where she graduated with honors from Waynesville High School, Class of 1981. While she excelled in academics she also dominated in athletics with huge success in gymnastics, basketball, softball, cross country, and track. In fact, she broke track records in several events, however her most prized accomplishment and favorite event was the 4x100 meter relay for which she and her teammates were named Missouri State Champions. Shanlanda was very active and quite popular in school participating in chorus, student government, drama, pep club, DECA and FHA. She was also a skilled alto saxophonist captivating everyone with her musical creativity. After successfully completing high school, she went on to continue her education, majoring in Chemistry & Engineering at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She successfully completed her freshman year before moving to St. Louis to pursue a modeling career in addition to pageants, music and deejaying. After her time in St. Louis, Shanlanda then moved back to the Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri area, where she gave birth to her beautiful daughter L ’Toya Delana followed by her son, Marquis Jarallas. During this time Shanlanda met and married her husband, Keith Hill Sr., adopting his two sons, Brian Christopher and Keith Anthony and they moved to Columbus, Georgia to settle down. They happily welcomed their handsome baby boy, Amiri Jelani James to complete their family. Wanting to desperately continue her education, Shanlanda enrolled at Columbus State University where she majored in Criminal Justice. She received her associate degree and was 6 credits shy of her Bachelor of Science degree. Shanlanda moved back to the Waynesville area and began working on the Fort Leonard Wood military base with EDP. At this time, she and her husband made the painful decision to split. Her tenacity enabled her to continue pushing due to the enormous love and dedication she had for her children. Shanlanda was always true to herself, and she lived life without reservation. She was confident, carefree, sassy, funny and quite sentimental. She easily connected with people and made friends wherever she went…becoming quite the social butterfly. In all honesty, she was most known for her beauty and charisma. She turned heads everywhere she went, which almost always opened opportunities for her. She was a girly girl loving anything related to the latest fashion, hairstyles, purses, clothing, shoes, perfume, jewelry (specifically diamonds) and makeup. She was affectionately called “Miss America” by her family and friends and outwardly opposed the nickname, however deep down, she truly loved it! She enjoyed taking pictures, watching old movies, shopping, playing Bingo (like her mother), reading self-help/motivational books, and journaling. She was known for her sweet tooth, always craving licorice. More than anything, however, she absolutely loved and adored her son, Amiri’s music. She was his #1 fan. Our dear Shanlanda will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those who knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: L’Toya Delana and Amiri Jelani James; her siblings: Beverly Greene of Arlington, VA, Vannessa Arnett (Devodie) of Mount Holly, NC, Van Cunningham III (Faith) of Carson, CA, Sherry Moore (Willie) of Waynesville, MO, Clifton Cunningham of Waynesville, MO, and Stephanie Holt of Rock Hill, MO; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a great deal of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Caleb and Dora Greene and Van Cunningham Jr.; her sister Carolyn D. Cunningham and her son Marquis Jarallas Archey. Even though she is gone from our sight, Shanlanda’s beautiful smile, infectious laughter and love of life will live on in our hearts forever and ever. Services were held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 10, 2023 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert with Robin Salsman officiating. The songs “Deliver Me” by Donald Lawrence & The Tri City Singers, “God Has Smiled on Me” by The Jackson Singers, “I Told the Storm” by Greg O’Quin & B Joyful Noyze, and “He Won’t Let You Down” by Lamar Campbell were played. Family members recalled their wonderful memories of Shanlanda. Serving as escorts were Kenshay Cunningham, Jumoke Cunningham, Jacoby Cunningham, DeMarcus Holt, Jamel Holt, Keith Hill, Sr., and Keith Hill, Jr. Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery of Waynesville.

Shanlanda Faye Hill

August 28, 1962 - May 29, 2023