Anna Mae Minks

Anna Mae Minks (nee Farrar) passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023, at St. Louis University Hospital at 99+ years "young".
She is survived by her nieces, nephew, and extended family as well as many friends she loved as family. She was preceded in death by her second husband Robert Minks (2006), and first husband Robert Earl Gates (1974). Anna Mae enjoyed long, loving marriages with both Earl and Bob.
Anna Mae was raised in Belleview, Missouri and loved her childhood on the farm with her sisters Mildred and Dorothy. When people talked about Johnson's Shut-Ins and Elephant Rock, she would always say – That was our childhood playground. Her love of the outdoors was evident throughout her long, blessed life. In her young married life, she and her family would go fishing nearly every weekend. She also loved to garden and grow beautiful flowers, camp, boat, and travel all over the country RV-ing. Anna Mae traveled to every state except Alaska! She also traveled abroad, visiting the White Cliffs of Dover in England, seeing the Crown Jewels in London, visiting Ireland, Germany, Mexico, and many other beautiful places.
When indoors, she created beautiful, intricate needlework pieces. She also sewed, crocheted, quilted, embroidered, and crafted many special hand-made items. If you were gifted with something Anna Mae made by hand, you were blessed.
Anna Mae also loved people. She enjoyed her work family for many years at CPI Professional Photo Company in St. Louis and also her friends in the Business and Professional Women's organization. After she retired from CPI, she worked at Ravanelli's Restaurant in Granite City, and she loved her work and the people there. Her closest relationships (other than family) were at her church, Glenview Assembly of God. Over the years she loved each pastor's family and loved her friends at church. She was a faithful church member who always gave much time, talent, and heart to her church.
Now, we celebrate Anna Mae's life... a life well-lived. She was delightful, adventurous, fun-loving, and resilient, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11AM until the funeral service at 12 noon at Sunset Hills Funeral Home, 50 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, Illinois with Pastor Tim O'Keefe officiating. Memorial donations can be made to Glenview Assembly of God Church.
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