Annie G. Mathews, “Bunny Barter”, was born October 22, 1920, in Whistler, Alabama. She moved to Mobile at age 18 and remained there until her death at age 92, just five days shy of her 93rd birthday.
Annie, known as “Bunny” by most, began to work at a very early age. While in elementary school, she maintained two paper routes, throwing papers early in the morning before school, and then again in the afternoons after school.
She was a founding member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. At St. Pius, she was in the Ladies Sodality, a member and past-president of the Legion of Mary for over 20 years, and she sang in the choir. She was also the organizer of the first dance at St. Pius and many of those that followed.
Entering nursing school at age 19, she graduated from Providence Hospital and with the advent of World War II, she joined the Air Force and was stationed in Panama City. She later worked at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, AL and Halleran General Hospital in New York. She was also sent overseas to Scotland.
After the war, she continued her education and graduated from Charity Hospital in New Orleans as an anesthetist. She worked as a nurse anesthetist for several years before marrying Frank Barter. Years later, she opened the first health clinic at the Corps of Engineers in Mobile.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Lofton Gurganus and Minnie Amelia Sheldt, and sisters, Evelyn Gurganus Ray and Marion Gurganus Lewis. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Anne Ferguson (Andrew John), and two grandchildren, Kathryn Marie Ferguson and Patrick Ryan Ferguson. She also leaves her husband, Frank W. Barter, youngest sister, Henri Etta Burnett (Ernest), numerous nieces, nephews, friends and family.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Springhill Home Health and Hospice, especially Ms. Lisa Dykes, who was her hospice nurse. Her other nurse and personal caregiver was Ms. Debra Hulett who was an invaluable resource to the family and patient. Her son-in-law, Andy Ferguson, was as much of a caregiver as any of the nurses, and she loved him dearly. He was generous with himself, his time, and his heart.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Pius X Catholic Church on Friday, October 25, 2013, at 10 a.m. The family will receive friends at Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street on Thursday, October 24, from 5-8 p.m. Interment will be in Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Catholic Social Services Legacy Project, 400 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602, the St. Pius X School Fund, or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com. Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606.
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