
The funeral service will be at conducted 1:00 P.M., Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 420 Jefferson Street, Americus, Georgia. Reverend H.C. Wilson, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Staley Memorial Cemetery, Corner of Mayo and Souther Field Road, Americus, Georgia.
Annie was born June 1, 1949 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia to the late Winnie Ragans. She was a 1968 graduate of A.S. Staley High School, and she continued her studies at South Georgia Technical College. She was a member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Senior Choir, Usher Board, and Pastor's Aid Club. Her community endeavors and affiliations included the Habecca Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 70th, Stolen Girls Civil Rights Activist, and a former member of the Americus Civil Rights Movement (ACRM). Being a dedicated and concerned member of the community, she was hired by Middle Flint Behavior Health Center, as a supervisor at the Southern Star Community Service Center. After over twenty years of service, she retired December 31, 2010.
Annie was preceded in death by her mother, Winnie Ragans; her brother, Lewis Ragans; her grandmother, Lucy Prince; her godparents, Ralph and Estella Williams; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, C.L. Styles and Willie Mae Thomas; and two sisters-in-law, Dorothy James Stevens and Jeanester Thomas.
Ann's beauty and character captured the heart of her one and only love, Willie "Skeeter" Laster. In 1970, they were united in holy matrimony and were blessed with one son, Gabriel.
She leaves a legacy of love and precious memories to her beloved husband of forty-one years, Willie "Skeeter" Laster, Americus, Georgia; her son and daughter-in-law, Gabriel D. (Chinquita) Laster, Americus, Georgia; grandson, Dezmond K. Laster, Americus, Georgia; four siblings, Laura Virginia Davis-French, Sammie Walker, Sandra Walker Rudolph, all of Americus, Georgia, and Cynthia (Jeffery) Dillard, Atlanta, Georgia; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Belinda Thomas, Americus, Georgia, Betty Wallace (Charlie), Macon, Georgia, Lee Edward Thomas (Barbara), Americus, Georgia, and Alvin Floyd (Sharon), Jacksonville, Florida; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
OUR HEART GOES OUT TO YOU ALL.SHE WILL BE TRULY MISSED,BUT GOD KNOWS BEST.THERE'S ANYTHING YOU NEED I'M JUST A STEP AWAY.
WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY
FROM RENAE & TJ YEARBY & THE ENTIRE SIMS FAMILY...
To Gabriel and the entire Laster/Ragan family. My heart felt deepest sympathy goes out to you during these shocking times. Do know that God always back his promise and one promise is "I will never leave you nor forsake you". Again, my prayers are with you and if there is anything I can do call upon.
Rev. & Mrs. Timothy D. French, Macon, GA
Earth holds no sorrow that heaven cannot fill. We the Volley family send our heartfelt condolences to your family in this hour. We love you and pray that heaven shines upon you.
I have had the pleasure of knowing this beautiful and wonderful woman for 21 years as my beloved Aunt. Although not blood related the beautiful 40 + friendship and bond her and my grandmother Ms. Jessie Giles have built, is a wonderful connection that goes beyond words can describe. I will miss her dearly always and on behalf of my family wish to continue to extend our love and best wishes to our extended family through this difficult time. Love You All always and forever.
-Nyaisha & The Giles Family.
Our prayers are with you all during this difficult time. God bless you all and time heals all wounds.
Teresa Floyd
ANNIE L. R. LASTER: a childhood friend, one who walked with me to school each morning, a confidant, a play/adopted sister, a playmate - we ate together, we worshipped together at Mt. Olive, we worked in the same profession, we marched together, we really grew up together and have remain friends for many, many, many years. Yes I will miss her but what gives me the greatest consolidation is to know we loved each other and she is now resting with the Lord
Will LeRoy Grimes
To my extended family. My prayers and heart go out to you. With deepest sympathy.
Woods6
To the family of Mrs. Annie Laster, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I was deeply sadden by the news of Mrs. Annie. My prayer is that God will continue to strengthen you during this time. Sincerely,
Natacha Alford Merritt
Skeeter and Gab I will always hold Annie in my heart, She was part of the sunshine in this world and I will truely miss her great smile. But I know she must be real happy to be with her mom again and will be watch over all who she loved...
Janice Brunson
Uncle Skeeter, It is hard to believe that "my" auntie is gone. We shared so many special memories.............I know she is smilling down on us!! She is probaly up there telling grandma nd "lil bro" everything that has been going on..LOL Know that we are here for you as always. Keep her alive in your heart, she will always be near. Love your niece,
Michelle Fench-Darmon Covington,GA
With deepest sympathy from the Lembrick and Wright families. You are in our prayers.
Jessie Lembrick
Rest in peace sister
Edna and Ida Mercer
To the Laster and Ragans family,you have my deepest and heartfelt sympathy.Today you maybe wondering how you are going to continue without your love one,but i promise you joy comes in the morning when you let God direct your path. May God bless you.
Alice Muff
Ann was a beautiful person inside and out. We continue to pray for your family during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy
Sharon Terry, Nikki, Ashlei, Haley and the Battle family
Ms. Laura Virginia, We are so sorry for your loss! "With Sincere Sympathy"
Daringer Harper (Darryl) and the Family of the late Ms. Bessie H. Sampson.
Saddened to hear of your loss.No matter our faith,it is hard, in our earthly bodies to see our loved ones go home. We know they go to a wonderful place but we grieve .May the comfort and peace of GOD, surround and sustain you during this difficult time.
Betty Hall-Harris
She was such a beautiful and wonderful lady. I am going to miss her and the smile that she brought to many others.
Sara Zanders
our prayers are with you all during this difficult time.May God bless you all with deepest sympathy
Richard Roberts and family
To all of you, Words could never express our appreciation for all the acts of kindnesss that you have shown during the illness and recent passing of our dearly beloved " Ann". Your amazing out pour of love thru prayers, cards, food monetary gifts, flowers, calls, visitations, and most certainly you attendance of standing room only during the home going celebration of life, will forever be reviewed in our memory and discussed at our family gatherings. Amazing and simply beautiful, Thanks to you all! There were so many of you who came but could not enter because of the overcrowd, so many who called but could not come because of illness, or because the long distance to travel would have been difficult for you, or for whatever reason that you were not here in person, please know that we did feel you love and will also cherish you. Some folk would say that they have lost a love one or a friend, but I know that during this season most of us rush to give and get gifts and presents of all kinds, however this year our family is praising God for giving us our present for 62 years; my sister, my friend, my telephone buddy, and sometime running partner and our best gift to him is to give back " Ann". It is truly our prayer that you will all be blessed at all times and know that we will always be greatful for each of you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Laura Virginia Davis-Fench The Ragans and Laster Family