Annie Mae Lilley Angell was born September 22, 1920 in Pantego, North Carolina to Jordan and Minnie Alligood Lilley. She passed away surrounded by friends and loved ones, after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Sunday, January 16, 2005 at Silsbee Oaks Health Center.
Ann was raised in Beaufort, North Carolina at St. Paul’s Episcopal School because of the death of her mother when she was seven years old. She spent summers and later teen years in Washington, North Carolina with her family. She was a welder in the Norfolk, Virginia shipyard during World War II. She met Billy James Angell while working at the White House (introduced by sister, Jennie Angell (and they married on February 9, 1947. She was a resident of Beaumont, Texas from 1944 until she had to be moved to Silsbee Oaks due to her struggle with Alzheimer’s.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy James Angell in December of 1999. She is also preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald Lilley and Lewis “Buddy” Lilley both of Washington, North Carolina; two sisters, Ercel Dillon of Belhaven, North Carolina and Elsie Woolard of Washington, North Carolina; brothers-in-law, Holland Angell, Monferd Angell and Thomas Angell all of Beaumont, Lewis Dillon of Belhaven, North Carolina; and sisters-in-law, Mildred Lilley of Washington, North Carolina, Ethel Angell of Beaumont, and Girland Angell Dotson.
Survivors included her daughter, Jennifer Angell Chapman and her husband Randy; granddaughter, Tara Angell Travis Revia and husband Kris all of Beaumont; son, Michael Paul Toups and his wife Cathy of Hearne, Texas; sisters-in-law, Jennie Angell and Irene Angell both of Beaumont, Zola Lilley of Washington, North Carolina; brother-in-law, Lester Woolard of Washington, North Carolina; step grandsons, Shawn Chapman and his son Jordan of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Brandon Chapman and family of Beaumont; and numerous nieces and nephews.
We had spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with family at Aunt Jennie’s with Mother laughing and enjoying those she loved. By Christmas, she had begun to weaken and was never able to fully recover. Mother loved life and lived it to the fullest. We often had a house full of kids and she loved every minute of it, especially sharing her wisdom and wit.
She worked at Unique Gift Corner for more than twenty years, where she enjoyed sharing her compassion, generosity and love of God. She worked there until she was 76 years old and left only after her health kept her from working. Mama never had to “preach” or tell you what a strong Christian she was because she lived it every minute of every day. In times that many of us could never have endured, her faith brought her through and always made her stronger.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at Westminster Presbyterian Church followed by burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 N Major Drive, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers will be nephews, Buddy Angell, Tommy Angell, and Robert Winney, Ralph Jones, and family friends. A gathering of family and friends will be from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, January 18, 2005 at the mortuary.
The family would like to thank all of those at Silsbee Oaks Health Center who not only cared for her, but also showed such love and dedication. Words of thanks would never be enough to express our gratitude for the peace of mind that came from their genuine devotion to Mama. I pray God blesses them with the same love and care that they so selflessly gave.
