Annie Lyle Apperson Coulston

Annie Lyle Apperson Coulston, age 89, of Oak Harbor, Washington passed away on January 24, 2012. She was born on October 15, 1922 in Durham, North Carolina to William Franklin and Annie (Stoner) Apperson. She was the seventh of seven children- 3 boys and 4 girls. When her mother died, Annie was 13 years old and she went to live with her sisters. Soon after she completed high school she married too young, to Alan Hunter, They were only married for two years before she was swept off her feet by George Buckner of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and married him right away in 1944. They were married for 22 years and had 3 daughters who were her prized possessions. In 1965 Annie married Jack Coulston, and he was the absolute love of her life! She also gained a precious stepson and stepdaughter. Annie and Jack came to love the Lord Jesus and worked together establishing a Holocaust Remembrance Committee and Resource Center in New Jersey. She and Jack were married for 23 years. Annie had a special heart for the Jewish people. She was a prayer warrior and led a Bible fellowship group and also did voluntary visitation. During her lifetime, Annie did some secretarial work for dentists and doctors. She acted in Summer Stock and Civic Theater in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. Annie was also quite a singer and artist in her own right. Throughout those years of activity she did her best to be a homemaker for her family. Everyone will remember Annie’s vibrant spirit, laughter, beautiful smile, and incredibly loving heart.

Annie is preceded in death by all of her brothers and sisters, her second and third husbands George Buckner and Jack Coulston, respectively, and her stepson Michael Coulston. She is survived by: her daughters Beverly Shaffer and husband Rev. Terry Shaffer of Blairsville, Pennsylvania; Anne Keresey and husband James of Oak Harbor, Washington; Georgia Buckner and fiancé Jack Nicholson of Winfield, Illinois; her very dear stepdaughters Candace Coulston of South Bristol, Maine and Jackie Coulston of Mocksville, North Carolina; twelve grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren; two nephews Dana Cratch and wife Grace of Hackettstown, New Jersey and Zan Cratch of Olympia, Washington; and niece Theda Budkus and husband Tom of Arapahoe, North Carolina, all of whom were very precious to her.

Her headstone will read,

“THE MOST LOVED”

Arrangements under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, WA.