ATHENS – Hazel Walker Annis, 79, beloved wife of Reginald F. Annis, died Dec. 2, 2007, at a Dover-Foxcroft nurs-ing home, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Hazel was born Jan. 28, 1928, in Hic-kox, Ga., the daughter of Hamp and Laura (Crews) Walker. Hazel worked on the family farm during her early years in Georgia and lived with her sister and brother-in-law, Lillar and Ernest Williams, during the pre-World War II years. She worked at Rayham’s Five and Dime prior to her marriage to her handsome marine in 1944. She moved to Harmony after her marriage. Hazel was exceedingly pleased by her ability to hand sew shoes and work beside her husband during her working life. She worked primarily for Sandler Shoe, Harmony, a local factory with a community base. Here she and Reggie saw family members daily and met many friends with whom they remained in contact throughout her life. Later she worked at Lighthouse, Medwed, and San Antonio Shoe Cos. Hazel was a member of the Skowhegan VFW and an active outdoorswoman, who fished the lakes and ponds of Maine with her husband. Some of their favorite fishing areas were, Penobscot Pond, Socatean and most of the areas surrounding Moosehead Lake. Smith Pond was a special fishing and recreation area of the family and many summer weekends were spent there fishing, swimming and water-skiing. Hazel is survived by a daughter, Regina K. Herrick and her husband, Fredrick, of Harmony; and a son, Donald W. Annis and his wife, Cindi, of Monson. She had four grandsons, Glenn Annis, Ryan Annis, Dean Herrick and Jared Herrick; and five great-grand-daughters, Julia, Jillian, Aren, Lia and Riley. She is also survived by brothers and sisters, Louise Johns, Lovie Crews, Clyde Walker and Lester Walker. Very special people in Hazel’s life are Alice Walker and Hilda Shaw. Special thoughts are extended to the family of Violet Fowlie, as well as Hazel’s many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Bowman, Arnold Annis and Philip Annis. She was predeceased by an infant son, Reginald F. Annis, whom she never forgot; three brothers, James, Elton “Buddy,” and Morris Walker; two sisters, Janie Crews and Lillar Willams; and a dear nephew, Tommy Crews. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at Harmony Baptist Church, Harmony, with Pastor Tom Izon presiding. Interment will be after the services at Libby Cemetery beside her infant son. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Harmony Ambulance Service. Arrangements are in the care of Lary Funeral Home. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.
HAZEL W. ANNIS
