Annie Jean Willingham

Annie Jean Smith Willingham, age 77, of Dallas, GA, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. She was born on May 7, 1937, in Dallas, GA, to the late, Lemon & Opal Carnes Smith, and was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Doy Willingham, sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn & Wendell Pickett. Mrs. Willingham retired after 30 years of service from Paulding Hospital and was a charter member of New Life Baptist Church where she taught the ladies Bible class for many years. She loved to sing gospel songs and sang in the church choir.

Survivors include children, Deborah & Larry Parish of Dallas, GA, Wesley & Kathy Willingham of Dallas, GA, Sharon Willingham of Dallas, GA, Donna & Bill Ketchum of Mableton, GA, Wayne Willingham of Dallas, GA, and Jeff & Shari Willingham of Dallas, GA; brothers, Sanders Smith of Dallas, GA, and Sherril & Annie Smith of Newnan GA; sister, Joan & Jimmy Humphry of Dallas, GA; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 3 PM from New Life Baptist Church, with Brother Larry Parish, Brother Vermon Parmer and Brother Todd Tibbitts officiating, and will lie in state at the church from 2 PM until 3 PM. Interment will follow in New Hope Cemetery. Wesley Willingham, Wayne Willingham, Jeff Willingham, Bill Ketchum, Jason Parish, Josh Parish, Jeremy Parish, Tyler Willingham and Dwight Garrett will serve as pallbearers. Zachary Willingham will serve as honorary pallbearer. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, March 27, 2015, from 4 PM until 8 PM.

Clark Funeral Home in Hiram, GA, is in charge of arrangements. (www.samclarkfuneralhome.com)

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