Annette Fleetwood

Annette was the oldest of 9 children born to Louie and Corene Turner. She grew up in East Texas on the family farm. In 1957, after graduating from Centerville High School in Apple Springs, Annette moved to Houston where she worked for Travelers Insurance and met her sweetheart, Stan.

After marrying, they lived in Houston where daughter Laurie was born. Stan’s work took them to Seattle and then New Orleans, where son Russell was born. Soon thereafter, they moved back home to Texas. After living in Houston for a number of years, they moved to Conroe. In 1986, Annette and Stan lived in Hawaii for 6 months – a tropical adventure that resonated with Annette’s love of travel and visiting new places. During their 46 years of marriage, Stan and Annette took many vacations to explore the USA. They towed a camper trailer in the 1990’s. They were season ticket holders for U of H basketball and football teams. Following Stan’s death in 2006, Annette got her passport so she could travel to Peru and anywhere else that might come up on her radar.

Annette always enjoyed WOW (Women Only Weekend) excursions with her 6 sisters. She faithfully attended family reunions and loved to visit the family homestead in East Texas. Annette enjoyed beach trips with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, the last being this June at the beginning of her illness. She expressed her love for others through cooking and was famous for her chocolate chip cookies and her lasagna. Annette’s grandson Beau and his wife Lauren carry on the tradition of preparing lasagna today.

Annette loved sewing and quilting. She especially enjoyed the fellowship of quilting groups. She made friends easily wherever she went and regularly would hear, “You remind me of...” (a friend or a family member). It was as if strangers had known her for years. She made friends even on the New York subway! Her greatest joy; however, was looking after her grandbabies and great-grandbabies.

Annette was a 44-year member of First Baptist Church in Conroe, TX. She served her Lord and Savior in a number of ways:

- as a volunteer at Sam Houston Elementary School,

- as the coordinator, one day each month, at the Soup Kitchen of the Salvation Army,

- in the First Baptist Church Welcome Center,

- taught , alongside Stan, a youth Bible study class for many years,

- worked in Vacation Bible School,

- served with the Priceless Gowns prom dress project,

- devoted her time to Ladies Fellowship at First Baptist,

- after Stan’s death, she was a moving force behind the Shoes for Orphan Souls Shoe Drive.

Annette also helped with: Operation Christmas Child, Ladies’ Monday Bible Study, Family Promise, and participated in food drives.

During the last 6 months of her life, she made friends with the hospital staff who were caring for her and was affectionately referred to as “Momma” by several nurses. Annette demonstrated the strength of her character during her illness – she fought to the end and maintained a positive attitude when many would have fallen into despair.

Annette’s life was one of service and love. She will be missed by many.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Fleetwood family by signing the guest book.