Our beautiful mother, Annette Bender Less, of Columbus, GA born on March 19th, 1927 passed away on Saturday June 26th at home surrounded by her three adoring daughters. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Maurice and Sara Bender, Annette left New York for the first time at the age of 22 to marry her "Knight in Shining Armor” George H. Less, a refugee, who had settled in Columbus, Ga after fleeing Nazi Germany.
Never in Annette's wildest dreams could she have ever imagined herself, a city girl, settling on a farm in the South. Together, Annette and George founded the Green Acres Cemetery, the first perpetual care cemetery for African Americans in the region.
Annette is survived by her three devoted daughters, Louise Less Hale (Ron), of Columbus, Ga, Barbara D. Linn (Michael) of Marietta, Ga, and Peggy Roden (Paul) of Deer Isle, Maine; six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held on Sunday, 2:00 pm June, 27th at Riverdale Cemetery with Rabbi Beth L. Schwartz officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Temple Israel, 1617 Wildwood Ave. Columbus, Ga 31906.
