Annie Laura Mensak grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the only daughter of Charles and Martha Wheeler and sister to James, Charles, Francis, and Tommy. She was a fiercely protective sister to these boys. Annie was bright, creative, and enjoyed making good grades. She attended Massey Hill High School and graduated in June of 1958. She was a member of the National Beta Club, was one of 15 finalists in the high school search for Queen, and she starred in her high school play Here Comes Charlie as the character, Vivian. Though her body slowed down as Parkinson’s Disease settled in, Annie never lost her sense of purpose, vivacity, and spirited wit and humorous outlook. She was interested, engaged, and active in so many things. In addition to being a full-time mother, Annie was an incredibly hard worker and held down part-time jobs at Mervyn’s, North Pole Fudge, and Little Caesar’s Pizza. Annie also balanced full-time bookkeeping positions with the Salvation Army at several locations including Redondo Beach and Inglewood Corps in California. She loved to read her Bible and every page was marked with some poignant thought or spiritual insight. She also loved baseball and was a loyal Dodgers fan.

The Salvation Army was instrumental in helping Annie live out her Christian faith. She grew up in this spiritual family and even sang with the musical group The Songsters and was awarded “Songster of the Year” in 1975. Annie is aptly described as a child of God, a woman of deep and abiding faith, a fervent prayer warrior, all while exhibiting the worthwhile attributes of being loving, caring, compassionate, and always willing to help others. Though she loved her older comedies of I Love Lucy and Andy Griffith, in her later years, she found much comforting solace in her Sunday morning routine of sermons and televised worship services. She routinely watched about 3 or 4 every Sunday.

Annie was a fighter and overcame many challenges, but her favorite place to be was surrounded by her family. Annie married Ed in March of 1990 and they shared children: Pamela Joy O’Dell, Gregory Wade O’Dell, Kevin Andrew O’Dell, Sr., and Linda (Mensak) Al-Amir. These children presented Annie with seven grandchildren whom she adored: Victor Medina, Jr., Jeffrey Medina, Steffanie (Medina) Sitton, Kevin O’Dell, Jr., Anthony Chacon, Nadia Al-Amir, and Sarah Wittwer. At the time of Annie’s homeward call, these grandchildren had given her 13 great-grand children : Victoria, Ethan, and Alec Medina; Gideon, Scarlett, and Alexandria Medina; Mary, Annie, Emily, and James Sitton; Hannah and Natalie Wittwer; and Luna Galatro; and two great great-grandchildren: Erick Medina and Samuel Medina – all of whom are left to cherish her memory. She promoted a legacy of love through multiple generations. Her love for her family was only surpassed by her love for her Lord Jesus Christ.

Annie did not just hear the word of God; she was a doer just like Jesus himself commanded his followers to be. Annie was generous and financially supported many ministries near and dear to her heart. She wanted to be a missionary, she loved supporting missionaries to help meet their physical and spiritual needs, and it was very important to her to be able to give sacrificially to those who carried the Gospel message into all parts of the world. With this in mind, the express wishes of her family are that, in lieu of sending flower arrangements, please consider giving a donation to one such organization she supported, Missional Living, Inc. Her grandson and his family currently serve as missionaries in the Dominican Republic, another strong legacy of Christ followers instilled by a stalwart grandmother’s unyielding faith. Donations can be mailed to 900 Park Place Blvd., Midlothian, TX 76065. Donations may also be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martha and Charles Wheeler; brother James Wheeler; and her beloved husband Edward Mensak.