Annie Mae Hartwell

Mrs. Annie Mae Hartwell was born in Chicago, IL on March 28th, 1926 to Mr. William and Mrs. Josie Curtis. Spending the earlier portion of her life in Arkansas, Annie traveled north to Chicago with her parents and eight siblings, where she later wed Cecil Hartwell and gave birth to eleven children of her own. Devoted to serving her heavenly Father, Annie gave her life to Christ at an early age and attended both Central Memorial Baptist Church and Pine Avenue United Church. A life laced with numerous trials and tribulations the legacy of Annie Mae Hartwell can be likened to an epic novel and the famous stories told by great authors of old. These writers would portray a woman of strength seemingly triumphed by tragedy, however, deemed victorious through prayer, love, and an unforgettable ability to laugh and smile in the face of adversity. Annie Mae's novel would be filled with detailed accounts of the many lives she touched, both young and old, while dedicating several years of service to the Chicago Board of Education. The author would provide countless testimonials recounting how she displayed her courage, whit, and need to give, even if it were her last. And wouldn't hesitate to mention the numerous times Annie and her husband Cecil opened their Michigan home to family and friends abroad, exchanging their hectic days for peaceful palettes and morning breakfast filled with love and laughter. They would devote chapters solely to outlining her sense of style and fashion, as well as her obsession to being bedazzled from head to toe. It's funny how the greatest attributes to any phenomenal story is the struggle that is overcome through determination and perseverance. Justly, the story told of Annie Mae would outline her many test of strength, those which involved lying to rest her beloved mother and father: William and Josie Curtis; 8 of her siblings: Alice Curtis, Minnie Curtis, Albert Curtis, Alton Curtis, Henry Curtis, Willa Mae Randolph, Catherine Washington, and Carrie Mae Hines; as well as 6 of her children: Toni Greene, Raymond Greene, Ralph Greene, Carl Greene, Wilbert Greene, and Ina Mae Greene who have all preceded her in death. Unfortunately, every epic tale inevitably comes to a close; Annie Mae Hartwell leaves to embrace her memory, 5 children; TobeqGreene, Loretha (Donald) Redwood, William Greene, Debra (Johnny) Greene-Smith, and Darlene (Don) Greene-Barree; 21 Grandchildren; 33 Great Grandchildren, 12 Great -Great Grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; her very dear friend Alice and other family and friends. Today we honor our cherished and treasured matriarch. We pass on a wife, mother, grandmother, great and great-great grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, as God has reclaimed His angel. So, fly Mrs. Annie Mae Hartwell, with your favorite outfit that matches your well earned/deserved wings.