Annell Haggart O'Donnell

Annell Haggart O’Donnell, age 85, passed away peacefully from this life and moved on to join Jesus Christ for eternity on the day of the Lord, Sunday, the 24th of September 2023, after a lengthy battle with dementia.

Annell was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on the 31st of July 1938, to her parents, LaNelle Henson Haggart and Duncan Ross Haggart, and spent the early part of her childhood in Galveston, attending Ball High School, before moving to Houston with her family and attending Lamar High School. Annell went on to attend Newcomb College in New Orleans, Louisiana; Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi; and the University of Texas at Austin. Her course of studies centered on vocal training and theatre arts.

Annell met her devoted and loving husband of 67 years, Lawrence (Larry) O’Donnell, Jr., in the fall of 1954, after Larry saw Annell singing solo in a musical at Lamar High School her senior year. Larry then asked one of his friends to set him up on a date with Annell to attend the UT vs. A&M football game on Thanksgiving Day, and their love quickly blossomed. Annell and Larry were married at St. Anne’s Catholic Church on the 4th of August1956.

Annell had many interests and hobbies, but she mostly adored being a loving and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother, and was affectionately known as “Honey”. She felt it was an honor to be able to be a "stay-at-home mom" and was devoted to her four children, eleven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren with three more on the way. Annell had the gift of hospitality, and loved those special times when the family could be together. She was always a gracious host, meal planner, cook, cleaner, and storyteller. Up until dementia set in, Annell was constantly preparing meals for her beloved husband Larry or planning the next family get-together or dinner. Deeply rooted in her convictions, Annell always wanted the best for her children and grandchildren and taught them many life lessons and principles to live by: faith in God, integrity, honesty, and perseverance to name a few.

Highly proficient in organizational and multi-tasking skills, she planned incredible vacations for the family to experience and enjoy (California, Colorado, Mexico, Caribbean, Sea Island Georgia). Once the kids moved out of the house, she and Larry loved to travel the world together. Annell enjoyed researching and planning the trips almost as much as the travel, and she could be found planning another travel adventure before they had even departed for their upcoming trip. Even Annell and Larry’s honeymoon was a driving adventure to California with many trips back to relive those first cherished memories together. Annell never met a stranger, and she and Larry had many friends from near and far. She customarily brought back local gifts from their various travels to share with all her family, which gave her so much pleasure.

She treasured the many family summers and holidays at the family river home in New Braunfels, the family beach house in Galveston and family ranch in the Texas Hill Country, entertaining their many friends, as well as her children and their friends, and continuing on with her grandchildren over the years. As the grandchildren became older, she took them with her on her travels to educate, teach manners and social graces. All the family has been gifted with beloved memories of the traditions she created, having tea parties together, and sharing other special times spent together.

Annell and Larry were long time members of Saraband Dance Club, Terpsichore Dance Club, Knights of Momus Krewe in Galveston, and River Oaks Country Club, where Annell served as President of River Oaks Country Club Women’s Association. Annell was an active member of the Spring Branch Parent Teachers Association, presiding as President for several years and honored with Outstanding Leadership in PTA Board of Trustees award. She was a dedicated and loyal volunteer, also giving her time to serve the Catholic Charity Guild.

Annell was also quite the entrepreneur, founding several start-up businesses and social groups, that included interior decorating, home delivery of food and cleaning products (decades ahead of her time), women’s jewelry and clothing, Mama’s Money Investment Club and Holiday Tradition Dance Club, which still is going strong and enjoyed by so many families today. As a young mother, Annell enjoyed needlepointing and playing bridge with her dear friends; later in life picking up mahjong. She was an avid reader and was always interested in learning and expanding her knowledge on any subject matter.

The O’Donnell Family would like to acknowledge Caridad Penas, Jeffrey Pajarillaga, Edgar Solamillo, Irma Pineda, and the Memory Care Staff at Tradition for their love and care of Annell. Their compassionate hearts enabled Annell to live in comfort these last 2 years of her long journey with dementia. They will certainly have a special place in heaven, and the O’Donnell family will be forever grateful for their loyal and dedicated services.

Annell is preceded in death by her parents, Duncan Ross and LaNelle Haggart. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Lawrence O’Donnell, Jr.; her sister, Carol Haggart Yates; her children, Lawrence O’Donnell III and his wife Dare, Laurie Ann O’Donnell Tyler and her husband Paul, Duncan Randall O’Donnell and his wife Kelly, and Shannon O’Donnell Kroger and her husband Richard. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren, Linley O’Donnell, Lawrence O’Donnell IV and his wife Christina, Lauren Ludwick and her husband Landon, Malorie Lytal and her husband Wade, Courtney Marshburn and her husband Matt, McKenna Bradley and her husband James, Brittany Galtney, Edward “Jeb” Galtney, Jr. and his wife Jessie, Nicholas Kroger, Kellen Kroger, and Cameron Kroger; and her seven great-grandchildren, Lyndon Ludwick, Lawson Ludwick, Lowery Ludwick, Kellyanne Lytal, Emmalynn Lytal, Poppy Marshburn and Lawrence Reeves O’Donnell.

A Memorial Mass and celebration of her life is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 4th of October at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family in the adjacent reception hall at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Lawrence O’Donnell III, Duncan Randall O’Donnell, Paul Wayne Tyler, Richard Caple Kroger, Lawrence O’Donnell IV, Edward “Jeb” Galtney, Jr., and Nicholas Alexander Kroger.

The family requests that any memorial contributions be directed in Annell’s name to The Brookwood Community, 1752 FM 1489, Brookshire, Texas 77423, or the charity of your choice.

For those unable to attend, virtual attendance may be obtained by selecting the “Join Livestream” icon in the “Services” section.