Born the second child of nine and the oldest girl of three, Annette was born Tuesday, August 31, 1943, in Terrell County, Graves, GA, to Albert Jr. and Annie Lois Higgins Benjamin. Annette had a loving childhood, deeply influenced by her father and mother. Albert Jr. was known as an immaculate dresser. It was from him that Annette inherited her impeccable sense of style and love for the finest apparel. Even as a child, personal appearance, poise, and etiquette were foundational staples that characterized her life's existence, laying the groundwork for a life adorned with grace and elegance.
Growing up, Annette attended schools in Terrell County, graduating from Carver High School in 1962. She received a full scholarship to college and the next day after high school graduation she left Georgia to attend the National School of Business in Nashville, TN, graduating with an associate’s degree. Upon graduation, Annette remained in Nashville and began her career in higher education at Tennessee State University working in business finance. Annette accepted a role in finance and bookkeeping at Edward Waters College and relocated to Jacksonville, FL.
Annette met the love of her life and future husband at Carver High. Who knew their paths would remain connected to becoming husband and wife. On December 24, 1969, Annette Benjamin and David Daniel wed in holy matrimony and began their life together in Jacksonville, FL. In 1967 David enlisted in the United States Marines and was stationed at Marine Barracks Cecil Field Naval Base. While David’s duty station assignments changed, the one constant was that Annette remained stationary in their home in Jacksonville, FL raising their daughter Joyce Elaine “Peaches”.
Annette enrolled at Jones College receiving a bachelor’s degree later receiving a Master of Religious Arts in Christian Education from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. Annette was employed by the Jacksonville Urban League. Her career span 55+ years with retirement from the Internal Revenue Service.
At an early age, Annette, accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and received a firm foundation in Christian ethics and virtues from her mother and family. Annette Daniel was never ashamed of being named as a born-again believer of Jesus Christ and was a true prophetess to the nations. Her religious affiliations are vast, and she is known locally and throughout the southeastern regions for her ability to profoundly teach the word of God, exhort and comfort those in need of spiritual guidance and healing. She had wisdom beyond her years and served as a confidant and advisor to many and could recommend solutions for challenges and words of knowledge for any situation encountered. Annette and David received the right hand of fellowship and joined First Pentecostal Holiness Church where they faithfully served for 30 years. For the last 20+ years, Annette and David have been dutiful members of Westside Church of God of Prophecy. During her combined 50 years of dedicated church membership in Jacksonville, FL she has served in numerous capacities to include Call To Worship Leader and Wednesday night bible study instructor. For the last 16 years, Annette’s most treasured role was serving as the Founder and CEO of Adorn Ministries Women’s Fellowship.
Annette was a lover of people and an instructional leader in both secular and Christian education. After retirement, she taught elementary education at Old Middleburg Elementary, Orange Park Elementary, and The Potter’s House Christian Academy.
Annette had a passion for caring for others and it showed in her annual participation in food giveaways where every thanksgiving and Christmas she would be found hand delivering turkeys and food to those in need. One year specifically, Annette gave away 163 turkeys. Her love for her community continued for nearly 40 years as she was an anchor in the Normandy Village neighborhood since 1986.
Annette was preceded in death by her parents Mr. Albert Benjamin, Jr. and Mrs. Lois Benjamin; brothers, Clarence Benjamin, George Benjamin, Johnny Rufus Benjamin, Nathaniel Benjamin, Ralph Benjamin, and Jerome Benjamin; sisters, Denise and Fronnie Bell; Son-in-law, Kenneth Stephen Hardnett. After the transition of Denise, Annette and David lovingly cared for and raised her daughter, Alicia.
Annette had a love for reading, cooking, and collecting books. Her favorite things to do were shopping at her #1 retail store, Dillard’s. She had a fetish for shoes with at one time having more than 100 pairs. Her appearance was always a priority and enjoyed taking her girls (including Gabrielle and Alexis) shopping. A major shopping highlight for their “Girls Days Out” was a trip to what Annette called the “Not So New” store. This was a memorable activity for them all. For Gabrielle and Alexis, their Nana’s potpies would be an all-time favorite on their trips to visit. The girls affectionately had names for her for which she loved “Mama” (Joyce), “Hun” (Alicia), “Nana” (Gabrielle), and “Nan” (Alexis).
Annette B. Daniel was known to be a genuine, great friend. If she was your friend she would stick with you through the thick and the thin, at all times, closer than a blood brother or blood sister. The affable impression of Annette Benjamin Daniel’s personality shall always remain alive and vivid in the hearts and minds of her family, friends, and neighbors. Her ability to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and love on others was her fulfillment in her latter years.
On Monday, June 3, 2024, Annette Benjamin Daniel transitioned from labor to reward at Baptist Hospital Downtown Jacksonville, FL forsaking this earthly existence for life eternally. An exercise in futility and namely so it would be for people who will hold fond and loving memories of this beautiful vessel adorned in grace and love for all humanity. Among them, most assuredly, will be her loving husband of 54 ½ years, Retired MGYSGT David Daniel, daughter, Apostle Joyce Elaine Daniel Hardnett, Jacksonville, FL; niece, Alicia Sandlin, Jacksonville, FL; nephews, George Benjamin, Atlanta, GA, Dale Benjamin, Atlanta, GA; sister-in-law, Sharon; cousins, Dr. Aaron (Gloria) Stills, Atlanta, GA.; goddaughter, Gabrielle V. Johnson Reyson, High Point, NC; nana’s girls, Alexis M. Johnson, Atlanta, GA, and Vicki M. Johnson, Nashville, TN; pseudosiblings, Pastor Gabriel & Lady M. Joyce Hall; family friends, Dr. Deborah G.Y. Thomas; childhood friends, Irene and Elizabeth Knighting, Dawson, GA.; other cousins, very close and concerned neighbors, and sorrowful friends.
A visitation for Annette will be held Monday, June 10, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens, Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A visitation will occur Tuesday, June 11, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Westside Church of God, 1862 Fouraker Road, Jacksonville, FL 32221. A celebration of life will occur Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Westside Church of God, 1862 Fouraker Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32221. A committal service will occur Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32218.
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