Annie Bell Church

Ms. Annie Bell Church, 79, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025. She was born in Yadkin County on June 23, 1945, to Calvin Fred Hutchens and Thelma Irene Cook Speer. Annie was the Head Dietitian at Hoots Memorial Hospital until they closed, and then she began working at Pruitt Health in Elkin where she would later retire. She had quite the green thumb and always had the most beautiful flowers. Annie enjoyed spending time outside tending to her beautiful home and gardening. She enjoyed being at the beach, although she never would get in the ocean. Annie always assured her family would stay right in the middle of Myrtle Beach because she loved being where all of the excitement took place. She really enjoyed dancing and going to concerts. Annie and her family went dancing often and she was the best at flat footing. She loved to go out and about, whether it be to go shopping or to get a hot dog and banana split from Dairi-O or Speedy Chef. Annie was often known to have a strong will, but that made her all the more loved. She thoroughly loved her special cat, Brandy Alexander, and gave her a loving home. More than anything, her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Mayson and Hayden. She was the best “Mom” and “Memaw” one could ever imagine and will be deeply missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Jane Rushing and Desiree “Pat” Williams; brothers, Roger Hutchens and Troy Michael Speer; stepbrothers, Jerry Speer, Gene Speer, and Jimmy Speer; and the father of her children, Delma “Dale” Richard Church. She is survived by her son, Bobby Dale Church and partner, Richard Hilton; a daughter, Penny Ann Hamby and husband, Larry Hamby; grandchildren, Mayson Brook Foster and fiancé, Jon Cooper, Hayden Brock Foster and girlfriend, Savanna Broyhill, and Justin Hamby and wife, Macey Hamby; great-granddaughter, Maggie Hamby; sister, Kathy Irene McCollum and husband, Steve McCollum; stepsister, Barbara Ann Chandler; special nieces, Tracey Scott and Tyann Hubbard; and many other loving nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Gentry Family Chapel with Annie’s brother-in-law, Steve McCollum officiating. Interment will follow at Center Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Annie’s honor and memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The family would like to sincerely share their appreciation to Brittany Gaither from Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center’s ICU for the extra love and care given to Annie and their family. Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville is serving the Church family.