Anna Cannon Neitzel

Born in Dallas on January 30, 1946, Anna was the youngest of three daughters and attended Bradfield Elementary, McCulloch Middle School, and Highland Park High School before moving to Austin, TX to study at the University of Texas. Anna earned her Master of Theological Studies from the Perkins School of Theology at SMU and was subsequently ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church.

Anna and her husband, James (Jim) Robert Neitzel, met and started dating during their sophomore year at Highland Park. During her senior year at UT, Anna married Jim and was his loving wife for 55 years. Including the years they dated, Anna and Jim were together for more than 62 years.

Anna left school to support Jim as he finished his degree and she worked in many roles over her years including payroll manager, realtor, jeweler, bookkeeper, accountant, social worker, ceramicist, hand model, and was an award-winning cook at the 1999 State Fair of Texas. Anna dedicated much of her time to the causes she believed in, notably Junior Charity League, the Suicide Prevention Hotline, and Dallas Can Academy. But it was her role as wife to Jim and mother to her sons, James (Jimmy) Robert Neitzel Jr. and Brian Desmond Neitzel, that always came first. Anna personified God’s unconditional, selfless love for her family. She was the most enthusiastic and sincere cheerleader when it was time to celebrate her family’s victories and the first person to offer comfort and support during hard times. Anna loved to be with her family, especially around the dinner table, and ideally on a beach in Florida.

Anna’s ministry as a Deacon at Saint Michael and All Angels and St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Churches was focused on missions and outreach. Anna was passionate about bringing the church into the community and was gifted at making people feel welcome and included. Some of her proudest moments were officiating marriage ceremonies for her nieces and nephews and performing baptisms for the children of friends and family.

Anna is survived by her husband, Jim, her sons and their wives, Jimmy (Julie) and Brian (Jodi), her sister, Lee Watkins, her four grandchildren – Ainsley Grace Neitzel, Audrey Nicole Neitzel, Annie Verlee Neitzel, and James Robert Neitzel III, and her 18 nieces and nephews. Anna was preceded in death by her father, Howard Earl Cannon, her mother, Mary Louise Baker Cannon, and her sister, Mary Carol Hultman. A very special thanks goes to Irene Ndungu for the joy and laughter she brought to the final months of Anna’s life.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in the chapel at Saint Michael and All Angels Church in Dallas, TX.