On Sunday, September 29, 2024, Anna Louise Williams Marshall, a beloved wife, mother, and mimi, passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 51. She was born on March 1, 1973, in Searcy, Ark., to the late F. Reed Williams and Barbara Haile Williams, who survives. Anna graduated from high school, and shortly thereafter married her lifelong love, Johnny Marshall, to whom she was married for 32 years. She was a talented cook, craft maker, cake decorator, and a loyal friend. She was the most truthful and sincere person her husband has ever encountered and was the same beautiful, thoughtful, selfless person behind closed doors as she was in public. However, as she would point out, all of that was due to the fact that she gave her life to Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior when she was 12 years old.

In addition to her mother, she is survived two daughters whom she loved dearly, Bethany Carder and her husband Thomas, and Hanna Johnson and her husband Caleb; and four grandchildren, Thomas Jr., Aaron, Owen, and Lincoln, who were the apples of her eyes.

She is also survived by a brother, Daniel Williams; sister, Christa Stover (Evan); and brother, Charles Williams (Monica); nephews and nieces, Brandi Williams, Brittani Williams, Douglas Stover, Sherrie Coutu (Chris), Ethan Williams and Ryder Williams; father- and mother-in-law, Johnny Marshall Jr. and Dorothy Marshall; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Steven Applewhite (Marilyn), Lesa Gann (Paul), and Brent Applewhite (Cindy). Anna is also survived by a number of uncles, aunts, and cousins and a large number of friends and church family.

She wasn’t a doctor, but all of her family went to her for medical and herbal advice, and she was rarely wrong (about anything honestly). She fought her breast cancer bravely for many years. She was her husband’s best friend, confidant, navigator, cheerleader, and advisor. She homeschooled her girls because she and her husband believed it was God’s will. She loved Big. She had no time for gossip or slander and if you wanted to get on her bad side gossiping was a good way to land there.

Her laugh was infectious, distinct, and loud. It was something she was self-conscious of, but something those who loved her loved about her. Her husband often found her after getting separated from her in the grocery store by her distinctive laugh that she had somehow managed to get from an encounter with a stranger. And if you ever played a game with her, you know how excited and competitive she could become.

Anna loved singing and listening to hymns and worship music and learned to play the piano at 44 so she could play at the church her husband pastored. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church of Statesville. Prior to that she was a pastor’s wife at Baptist churches in New Hampshire and Arkansas. If anyone ever got anything from her husband pastoring, it was because of her undying support and reminders of birthdays, to call and check on folks or to visit them.

A funeral will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, October 3, at Temple Baptist Church of Statesville, N.C. The family will visit with friends from 11 to 11:45 a.m., prior to the service. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 12, at 11 a.m. at Henderson Cemetery in Pangburn, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Abundant Life in Christ Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 195, Charleston, MO 63834 and designated for Philippine Missionary, Lucresio Booc, or to First Missionary Baptist Church, PO BOX 4, Moultonboro, NH and designated for Philippine Missionary, Joshua Dimatula, or to Samaritan’s Purse, https://www.samaritanspurse.org.

Until we meet again my love! – John

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.