Annalea Winders

Annalea Winders, 66, Marion, was no doubt ushered into heaven on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018 when she passed away at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from complications that followed a brain aneurism. Annalea's servant heart and her gifts of hospitality and music and as expressed in her caring attitude and always being there for others, will be missed by her many friends and her family.
She was born in Harrisburg, Illinois on October 6, 1952, the third of eight children born to the late Warren and Roberta (Lowe) Evans. She graduated from Harrisburg High School and attended Southeastern Illinois College and was working at Harrisburg Medical Center when she met Nicky Winders whose father was preaching a revival in the area.
She married Nicky Winders on Dec. 22, 1973, who preceded her in death in 2013. They have two sons, Bryce Martin Winders, and his wife Mandy Browning Winders and their son Chase, and Blair Evan Winders and his son Braxton Winders, all of Marion, Kentucky.
Annalea was a member of the Sturgis General Baptist Church where her husband, the Rev. Nicky Winders, was pastoring at the time of his death, and where Annalea has played the piano or organ for over 30 years. She and Nicky traveled to many churches in Kentucky and Illinois during their lifetimes holding revivals and gospel music signings, spreading the love of Jesus to many families. She was the clerk for the West Kentucky Association of General Baptists. Annalea retired after over 40 years in the Medical Records Department at Crittenden County Hospital. She had many church and work friends and was a friend to many during her years here on earth.
Annalea was a sports mom in every way. She has packed the car and many bags over the years with all of the things necessary for comfort to go to many home and away games, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, and even swim team competitions for Bryce, Blair, and Braxton.
Annalea leaves her five siblings and a large extended family, whom she adored. Survivors include two sisters, Marilyn & Jim Ellis and Regina and Stanley Rowlen, all of Harrisburg, Illinois. Also surviving are three brothers, Daniel and Nancy Evans, Wesley and Beth Evans and Jonathan and Jamie Evans, all of Harrisburg. Annalea is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews and their families. Nieces and nephews include Natalie (Bradly) Chang, Emily (Adam) Ward, Chris (Amy) Evans, Ben (Stephanie) Evans, J.D. (Tarah) Evans, Rachel Evans, Ashely Evans, and Austin Evans, and many loved great nieces and great nephews.
She also leaves her mother-in-law Dottie Winders of Marion, Kentucky brother in law Rev. Barry (Carmen) Winders of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and sister-in-law Candy (Doug) Patton of Cave-in-Rock, Illinois and their children, Justin and Tracy Patton, Melissa and Chris Page, and Libby and Dylan McCutcheon.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was proceeded in death by her sister, Rosemary Evans and brother, Samuel Evans, and father-in-law Rev. David Winders.
A celebration of Annalea's life well lived, will be held at 2 PM Sunday December 30, 2018 at Gilbert Funeral Home with burial to follow at Mapleview Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5-8 PM Saturday at the funeral home. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Kentucky Association of General Baptists. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at Gilbert Funeral Home.