Annie Bearden

After high school she married and raised her family of six children. She managed the food concessions at the Detroit Dragway (Sibley at Dix) and the Redford Ice Area. In addition to being a “Mom” she was an owner of “Jim & Ann’s Party Store” on Heyden & Warren in Detroit and a second store of the same name on Michigan Avenue and Telegraph. Later, she worked as a Social Worker for fifteen years for the Michigan Family Independence Agency, which she retired from in October 2002.

Annie was a devout member of St. John Bosco (now St. John XXIII) Catholic Church. There she could be found each Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. for her hour of adoration. At age 75 she walked in the one-mile Father’s Day Race and came in first for her age bracket. Her trademark was helping others. These simple acts of kindness were what made her happiest. She would drive others on their errands continuing these services until she gave up her driver’s license (unwillingly!!) at age 82. Annie was the person others could go to if a helping hand was needed. She had and would actually go without, or change her own plans, to help someone. She enjoyed gardening around her home. Her smile could light up a room along with her infectious laugh. Annie was a hardworking, no frills, lady who would say, “I’m strong like bull.”

Annie is survived by her children, Ana (Deb Hemgesberg) Feala, James (Janice) Bearden, Cindy (Bill) Vorce, Becky (Ben) Runyon, Phil (Dawn Russell-Sheperd) Bearden, Gary Bearden; brother, Frank (Carmen) Alvira; sister, Delores (the late John) Hobart; eleven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Annie was pre-deceased by siblings, Lee (Jose) Gonzalez, Angeline (Manuel) Pompa, Irene (Harry) Newton, Rudy (Mary) Alvira, Fred (Gladys) Alvira and Peter (Janice) Alvira.

Friends and Family may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. John XXIII Catholic Church 12100 Beech Daly, Redford, MI. Burial will follow after mass at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan.

At the family's request due to limited space, memorial donations in memory of Annie may be made Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601 (www.alz.org).

Please share a memory of Annie, or condolences with her family at her online guest book below.