Obituary of Elizabeth Joan Annis

On Friday, May 20th, 2022, the death of Elizabeth Joan (Wamboldt) Annis, wife and best friend of Frederick Dean Annis occurred at her home in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She was 86 years of age and had been in declining health for several years. Born in South Brookfield, Queens County, Nova Scotia, she was the only daughter of the late Joseph H. and Viola M. (Mansfield) Wamboldt. At age sixteen, having completed grade eleven, and no further schooling being available locally, she undertook the responsibility of teaching school in the neighbouring community of Molega, with nine grades and eleven students, some of whom were her relatives. Having survived that challenge, she went on to study at the Bridgewater Commercial School (pass mark 90), and was employed as bookkeeper and stenographer for the legal firm of Rutledge, McKeegan, Cragg, and Downey in Halifax. She worked there until her marriage in 1957 to Frederick Dean Annis. Always alongside her husband, she was a handmaid of the Lord as they served in pastoral church ministries and in missionary outreach with Northern Canada Evangelical Mission, Transport for Christ, and Champlain Christian Centre Seafarers’ Mission. Joan was always ready to go anywhere (and we moved a lot), live in whatever was provided, and do whatever it took to carry out the Lord’s will. She could make "home" anyplace, as long as we were together. God entrusted to Dean and Joan six children (five by birth and one by adoption), Heather Dow (Howard), Betsy McGuigan (Lawrence), Jon Annis (Debbie), Wayne Annis (Angela), Fred Annis (Carolyn), and Karen Annis (Tony). They have 23 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. A visitation will be held at Burtts Corner Baptist Church on Monday, May 23, 2022, from 6pm – 8pm. A Funeral Service will take place at Burtts Corner Baptist Church on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 2 pm with Rev. Greg Geldart and Rev. Braden Jones officiating. Interment will follow at the Burtts Corner Community Cemetery. For those who wish, donations in Joan’s memory may be made to New Brunswick Right to Life, Champlain Christian Centre Seafarers Mission Inc., World Food Programme or Plan Canada.