Annalea Winders, formerly of Harrisburg
Annalea Winders, 66, of Marion, Kentucky, was no doubt ushered into heaven on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018, when she passed away at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from complications following a brain aneurysm.
Annalea's servant heart and her gifts of hospitality and music - as expressed in her caring attitude and always being there for others - will be missed by her family and many friends.
She was born in Harrisburg on Oct. 6, 1952, the third of eight children born to the late Warren and Roberta (Lowe) Evans. She graduated from Harrisburg High School and attended Southeastern Illinois College and was working at Harrisburg Medical Center when she met Nicky Winders, whose father was preaching a revival in the area.
She married Nicky Winders on Dec. 22, 1973, and he preceded her in death in 2013. They have two sons, Bryce Martin Winders, with his wife Mandy Browning Winders and their son Chase; and Blair Evan Winders and his son Braxton Winders, all of Marion, Kentucky.
Annalea was a member of the Sturgis General Baptist Church where her husband, the Rev. Nicky Winders, was pastoring at the time of his death, and where Annalea played the piano and organ for over 30 years.
She and Nicky traveled to many churches in Kentucky and Illinois during their years together, holding revivals and gospel music singings, spreading the love of Jesus to many families. She was the clerk for the West Kentucky Association of General Baptists.
Annalea retired after more than 40 years in the Medical Records Department at Crittenden County Hospital. She had many church and work friends and was a friend to many during her years here on earth.
Annalea was a sports mom in every way. She packed the car and many bags over the years with all of the things necessary to go to home and away games, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, and even swim team competitions for Bryce, Blair and Braxton.
Annalea leaves her five siblings and a large extended family, whom she adored. Survivors include two sisters, Marilyn (Jim) Ellis and Regina (Stanley) Rowlen, all of Harrisburg; and three brothers, Daniel (Nancy) Evans, Wesley (Beth) Evans and Jonathan (Jamie) Evans, all of Harrisburg.
Annalea is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews and their families: Natalie (Bradly) Chang; Emily (Adam) Ward; Chris (Amy) Evans; Ben (Stephanie) Evans; J.D. (Tarah) Evans; Rachel Evans; Ashley Evans; and Austin Evans, and many loved great-nieces and great-nephews.
She also leaves her mother-in-law Dottie Winders of Marion, Kentucky; brother-in-law the Rev. Barry (Carmen) Winders of Cape Girardeau; and sister-in-law Candy (Doug) Patton of Cave-in-Rock and their children, Justin and Tracy Patton, Melissa and Chris Page, and Libby and Dylan McCutcheon.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was proceeded in death by her sister, Rosemary Evans; brother, Samuel Evans; and father-in-law the Rev. David Winders.
A celebration of Annalea's life, well lived, will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Marion, Kentucky, with burial to follow at Mapleview Cemetery.
The family will receive visitors from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Kentucky Association of General Baptists. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at Gilbert Funeral Home, www.gilbertfunerals.com.