Mrs. Annie Paxton

Annie Bell Paxton was born on May 22, 1926 to the late Burnett Sykes and Leanna Walters in Lovelady, Texas.  Her father and her stepmother Polly Sykes raised Annie.  Annie moved to Blanchard, TX where she attended school and spent her childhood life.  Annie later moved to Humble, TX better known as Bordersville, TX where she helped raise her younger siblings.  Annie loved her family and she loved being a big sister.  Annie accepted Christ at an early age and emulated the life that she read about daily in the Good Book until she walked through the “Pearly Gates”.    Shortly afterward, she met the love of her life, the late Mr. Roy Cecil Paxton Sr.  The couple later married on August 22, 1944 and to this union, eight gifts of life were born: Roy Jr, Vella, Howard, Betty, Glenn, Daniel, Revia, and Toni.  Seeking the American dream the couple bought a house where they would raise their children and become faithful residents of Bordersville.  Annie exhibited strong work ethic and was employed for many years by Ms. Louise Cezaux, where she was a caregiver and a housekeeper.  Annie worked there until she begin working for Host Hotel, where she met and made many friends  She was always a light to be around with her fun and joyful spirit.  Annie was later employed with Aldine Independent School district where she worked at Mc Grill Elementary as a custodian for many years until she retired in the late 80’s.   Annie was an avid reader and read any and every book she could to keep her breast of current events.  Her wealth of knowledge afforded her a unique ability to bridge the generational gap and reach anyone at any age to share her prayers, wisdom, knowledge and love.  Her positivity captured your soul, touched your spirit and awakened you into a melodious conscious about how to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep reaching higher despite the obstacles that you may face.  This practice was echoed in one of her favorite quotes “This is the day that the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad…How about you”.   Annie was an active member of the Church of God and Christ under the late Elder Mc. Duffie until she started attended Bordersville Christian Center under the leadership of her baby son Pastor Daniel Paxton.  As Head Mother of the Church, she kept things in Godly order, taking care of her Pastor.  She loved all of the members of the church and treated them all as if they were her own, she had many bonus children.  She always taught the young women how to love the Lord, respect themselves and live the life that Christ wanted them to live.  She was always front and center praising and worshiping and saying another one of her favorite lines “Praise the Lord…..Hallelujah”.  As the Matriarch of the family, Annie carried many titles; Mother, Nannie, Great Grandma, Aunt Annie Bell, Sister, Mentor and friend.  This combination of titles reflected the one thing that represented her spirit and the feeling everyone felt who encountered her….Love.  If you needed prayer, advice or hug, Mother was always there with an open door, heart, mind and arms to encompass you into her world of Love.   Annie lived a very independent life and loved to play bingo, do crosswords puzzles, read her bible, cook for her family, and just enjoy life.  Annie had a very special relationship with her baby daughter Toni, who moved in with her to help take care of her.  Annie would call Toni, “Mother” because she would now be listening to her baby daughter who thought she was the boss.  We would like to say a special thanks to Toni for taking such good care of our mother and our nannie, we know that it was not an easy task but it was a task well done.  We love you for this and we know that mother appreciated it and loved you for all that you did for her.  A bond that can never be broken.  In true Annie fashion she fought a good fight to the end, and she won the best battle.  Like the Diva she was, she quietly and softly went to sleep, spread her wings and took flight to the home that she so fondly spoke of and entered God’s reward on November 12, 2018. She is preceded in death by; Her father Burnett Sykes, her mother Leanna Walters, her stepmother Polly Sykes and three brothers; Otis, L.E., and Clifton, Two sisters; Carrie and Rosalee and her Husband, Roy Cecil Paxton Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory: 3 sisters; Lilly Bell Caldwell, Inez Hunt, and Lullabee, 4 sons, Roy Paxton Jr(Debbie), Howard Paxton Sr.(Rosa), Glenn Paxton Sr. and Daniel Paxton(Jackie); 4 daughters, Vella Denman (Charles), Betty Paxton, Revia Woodard, and Toni Hill. 9 Grandsons, Prentice Denamn (Katie), Dreginald Denman, Timothy Woodard, Rodrick Bohana (Tina), Glenn Jr (Linda), Howard Jr, Leon Clark, Stephen Paxton, Christopher Paxton. 8 granddaughters; Carprena Denman, Toy Denman, Tracy Crews, Tracey Paxton, Charity Woodard, Jennifer Archie (James), Karol Paxton, Tiffany Mitchell (Sedrick). 23 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandkids and a host of Nephews, Nieces and other family.