Annie M. Graham

Annie Mae Bridgers-Taylor Graham was born on April 9, 1935, in Edgecombe County, North Carolina to the late James Rufus Taylor and Emma Bridgers. She lost her mother at the age of two and was raised by her grandparents Isaac and Minnie Bridgers. Her grandmother instilled a grandmother's heart in her that spilled over when she became a grandmother, a perfect grandmother. Being an only child she decided young in her life that she wanted a large family and although she lost her first born son at three months old, that didn't stop her from continuing on with her dream. She married the late John Henry Graham III on December 19, 1953 and out of this union nine children were born. They moved to Washington, D.C. in 1959 with five of the nine children and shortly thereafter in 1960 they came to Baltimore where the four remaining children, twenty-six grandchildren and forty great-grandchildren, were born. She extended her family to everyone she met and that was obvious because everyone either called her Moms, Momma Doe or Grandma, rarely did someone call her Ms. Ann. She opened not only her door to so many, but her life and heart. She was saved at a young age, but joined the East Baltimore Deliverance Church in 1989, where she served on the choir and Usher Board for many years. She was a faithful member until she took her final breath. She worked numerous jobs to support her family, but she was a very skilled shirt presser for Nield's Cleaners and then Cleaner Cleaners for many years. After fighting two different cancers and being victorious, she then worked for family and children services as a Senior Aide. She was called home to glory on April 15, 2005 after fighting a lengthy battle with pneumonia. She was able to give as well as receive her final goodbyes to her family and although it was hard to let go, her childhood fear of being alone was conquered by the mere fact that her family stayed with her in her final hours, and her granddaughters stayed with her until the angels came and took her to be with her Lord and Savior. She was the ultimate factor in all of her children, so her legacy will be long and strong. Her husband, John; son, Johnny Ray; daughters, Brenda, Annette and Gwendolyn preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory forever: four daughters, Patricia, Agnes, Cornelia and Bernice; three sons, Oliver, Anthony and Tyrone; four sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, twenty-six grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and extended family members.

Tributes

Annie M. Graham

April 9, 1935 - April 15, 2005