Zelma Earl Whitson Cundiff, 81, of Russellville, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Hospice of Southern Kentucky, Inc. in Bowling Green.
She was born Sunday, Sept. 3, 1944, the daughter of the late Lasley Earl Whitson and the late Mildred Stuart Whitson. She was the wife of the late Paul (JR) Cundiff. Zelma and JR were happily married for 58 years.
Zelma graduated from Lewisburg High School at the top of her class. She attended Western Kentucky University, formerly Western Kentucky State College. She proudly obtained her BA degree in education and her Rank 1 teacher certification in home economics. Zelma later went on to teach at St. Romuald in Hardinsburg, Sacred Heart in Russellville, Drakesboro, as well as Muhlenberg North and South Middle Schools. Zelma was a very outgoing person and absolutely loved cooking and serving her community. She enjoyed the beautiful spring flowers and holiday seasons. Zelma and JR spent many years being members of Elk Lick Baptist Church, which was also the church where they were married on New Year's Eve.
Surviving are her sons, Mitchell Wayne (Dana) Cundiff of Lewisburg and Rex Alan (Stacey) Cundiff of Auburn; her daughter, Rosemary Lee (Jonathan) Cundiff-Brown of Louisville; her brother, Kenneth Whitson of Lewisburg; her granddaughters, Addilyn Cundiff of Auburn and Mary Kate Cundiff of Lewisburg; and her grandsons, Samuel Cundiff of Russellville and Paul Thomas Cundiff of Lewisburg.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Bennie Whitson, and her sister, Barbara Key.
A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at Elk Lick Baptist Church, located at 6904 Green-Ridge Spa Rd. Lewisburg, Kentucky 42256 with Bro. Chris Odle officiating. Interment will be in Elk Lick Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. on Friday, May 8, at Price Funeral Home, Inc., located at 252 East Green St. Lewisburg, Kentucky 42256 and again on Saturday May 9, from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at Elk Lick Baptist Church.
Pallbearers for the service will be Mitchell Cundiff, Rex Cundiff, Samuel Cundiff, Paul Thomas Cundiff, Rickey Key, and Jeff Key. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Whitson and Jonathan Brown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:
Hospice of Southern Kentucky
5872 Scottsville Rd.
Bowling Green, KY 42104
Price Funeral Home, Inc. of Lewisburg is proud and honored to serve the family of Zelma Whitson Cundiff.