ANNA MARIE CHALLENDER

                Anna Marie Challender age 85 of Harrison went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, March 21, 2022. Anna Marie was born January 27, 1937, in Lansing, Michigan the daughter of J.N. Smith and Rozella (Shaffer) Smith. Anna Marie graduated from Sexton High School, Lansing in 1955. Anna Marie was united in marriage to Mr. Bert Challender on August 3, 1954, in Lansing. Mr. Challender preceded Anna Marie in death on March 27, 2006, after fifty-one years of marriage.

                Mrs. Challender had resided in Harrison since 1992, moving from Lansing after her retirement from Okemos Community Schools as a thirty-year bus driver. Anna Marie was a charter member of Hope Baptist Church, Harrison and was very active and supportive of her church. She absolutely loved reading her Bible and attending church. Anna Marie cherished her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She was well known for her crocheting and knitting heirlooms.

                Surviving Mrs. Challender are her three loving children: Bonnie L. Sant-Hakes and husband Tom Hakes of Harrison, Kathy Barnett and husband Dan of Potterville, Michigan and Milford Challender and wife Kelley of Alma, Michigan, son in law, Robert Shafley and wife Dawn of Holt, Michigan, thirteen grandchildren, thirty-eight great-grandchildren, twelve great-great grandchildren, one sister, Sylvia DeWeese and husband Robert of Grand Rapids, Michigan, one brother, Daryl Smith and wife Sheila of Bath, Michigan, plus many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Challender also was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Rosalee Shafley, a son in law, Mr. Kingsley Sant and three grandchildren: Victoria Mullin, R.J. Shafley and Barbie K. Challender

                Celebration of Life services honoring Mrs. Challender will be held Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. from Hope Baptist Church, 3315 East Townline Lake Road, Harrison, with Pastor Gary Biggs officiating. Inurnment will follow at East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos, Michigan. Memorial gifts in memory of Mrs. Challender may be considered to: Hope Baptist Church, 3315 East Townline Lake Road, Harrison, Michigan 48625. To share an online memory or condolence with Anna Marie’s family, please visit: www.stockingfuneralhome.com. Arrangements and care of Mrs. Challender and her family are entrusted with Stocking Funeral Home, Harrison (989)539-7810.