Annie Lee Wafer

On September 1, 2021, Annie Lee Darby Wafer passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was 96 years old. A resident of Tucson, Arizona for 75 years, Annie was well-loved in her community. She was a loving mother, grandmother, a beloved sister, and a loyal friend with a compassionate spirit whose passion for others spilled over with pure joy. Annie is the oldest of nine children from the union of Jerry Mitchell Darby and Florence Presley Darby (deceased).

Annie was a progressive and an initiative-taking woman, always striving for self-improvement and would encourage the same to anyone that would listen. She would always tell you to get an education, work hard, and own your own home. As a single mom and working full-time she attended and graduated from Pima Community College with an Associate Degree in Social Services.

The family was an important part of her life. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and teaching them to cook. She was an avid gardener and loved being outdoors planting flowers and tending to her annual vegetable garden (she had a green thumb). She was a seamstress, a dressmaker, the family tailor, and our fashionista.

When Annie moved to Tucson, she met and married Edward Lonnie Wafer (deceased). She was the mother of nine children; Mitchell Darby (deceased), Barbara Harvey of San Diego, California; Valeria Wafer of Santa Rosa, California; Glenda Wafer of Tolleson, Arizona; Cheryl Herring of Peoria, Arizona; Arnold Wafer (Beverly) of Oceanside, California; Edelina Jones, Gerald Gause, and Gregory Wafer of Tucson, Arizona; and stepdaughter Helen Thomas of Wilmington, California.

Annie was predeceased by her brothers: Robert Darby, Johnny Will Darby, Leroy Darby, and Johnnie Walter Darby, Samuel Jones, and her sister Malila Porter. She is survived by her children, 30 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren, her sister Bettye Hicks of Santa Clarita, California, brothers Alvin Darby (Pauline) of Prattville, Alabama, and George Darby of McKenzie, Alabama, and host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation for Annie will be held Monday, September 13, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Funeraria del Angel South Lawn, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706. An invitation will occur Tuesday, September 14, 2021, from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Church, 2403 S. Martin Ave., Tucson, AZ 85713. A Celebration of Life service will occur Tuesday, September 14, 2021, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Church, 2403 S. Martin Ave., Tucson, AZ 85713. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, September 14, 2021, from 12:30 PM to 12:30 PM at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelSL.com for the Wafer family.