Annie L. Henry

Annie L. Henry, passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2022. She lived until 104 years old and it was an extraordinarily remarkable and blessed life. She was and is so many things to so many people, so while her loss was expected, it is devastating nonetheless. My mother, Carmen Henry Wilkinson, is her only daughter, who loved, cared, and served my grandmother until her last breath, which was in the home that was built by her beloved deceased husband, Vincent Henry (also a WWII Veteran).

As we celebrate Black History Month 2022, let’s reflect on the wealth of experience and knowledge and the dedicated and active role my Grandma Annie played in today’s society; and her past contributions and participation that she gave to the fabric of our community. She was honored countless times and recognized as an exceptional centenarian with because of her zest for life which inspired and enhanced the lives of her family, friends and community. She experienced the incredible joys and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina and courage to power through racism, classism, genderism and poverty.

Grandma Annie was born on August 2, 1917 in Talladega, Alabama and despite the obstacles of the Jim Crow south, this phenomenal woman not only completed high school and went on to Talladega College from 1936 to 1939, she also went to Cortez Peters Business School in 1941. After working as a teacher at Talladega High School in 1940, she valiantly served her country as a member of the United States Women’s Army Corps during World War II as a technician, fifth grade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina until the war was over. After that, Grandma Annie and her husband, Vincent, moved to Gordon Heights to start their life together in 1946. As a true asset to her community, Grandma Annie was the longest serving employee of the Gordon Heights Fire District, where she gave 31 years of dedicated service as its Secretary Treasurer.

With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to Gordon Heights, Grandma Annie served as a community volunteer for nearly two decades; a devoted Foster Grandparent for Brookhaven Head Start; at Faith Baptist Church as both a Deaconess and Director of its Afterschool Program; and was a Longwood School District Food Service employee for 18 years.

Grandma Annie continued to reside in Gordon Heights with her beloved and only daughter, Carmen, which she loved beyond anyone else in the world. This beloved woman enriched the lives of those around her through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years.

She has been recognized from the United States White House, the State of New York, the Suffolk County, the Town of Brookhaven, the Gordon Heights Fire District, Faith Baptist Church of Coram and countless organizations and communities for her remarkable age and those who have witnessed and celebrated her innovative and awesome achievements for this country during the last century.

She will be sorely missed, but celebrated and never forgotten by her daughter Carmen, grandchildren Tamika and Donald Jr., her 5 great-grandchildren, many godchildren, longstanding friends and family and this wonderful community.

A celebration of life for Annie will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at O. B. Davis Funeral Homes, 4839 Nesconset Hwy, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776. Homegoing ceremony on Wednesday at 11 AM. Interment to follow at Washington Memorial Park, 855 Canal Road, Mount Sinai, NY 11776.

The homegoing ceremony will be livestreamed and may be viewed by using this link:

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/6515081104

The family has established the Annie Laurie Henry's Funeral & Homegoing Costs GoFundMe page, which donations may be made to by visiting: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://gofund.me/f43722a4__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!d_uWMD1zdlwqHyD1G4c3bDDiD6d6P52W8TcyDHwoBcw1WXyDA3nT-3rg2vaghFOPfDbxcsNRHA$

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.obdavisportjefferson.com for the Henry family.