Annie L. Ketchens' Obituary
Annie Lee Ketchens, age 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 12, 2019. She was born on June 16, 1934 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Ruther and Brister Howard. The Howard family moved to San Francisco in the 1940s. In August of 1954, Annie L. Howard married John A. Ketchens, a handsome Army soldier stationed at San Francisco’s Presidio Army facility. Three sons resulted from their union. After being a housewife and taking care of her sons for almost a decade, Annie spent 32 years as an employee of Stanford University Hospital. Regardless of where she worked in the hospital, she brought smiles and laughter to all she encountered. Annie loved shopping, people watching, and attending family and church activities. She was a member of Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, CA; and had a long affiliation with New Providence Baptist Church in San Francisco. In her early adult years, Annie enjoyed crossword puzzles, “word search”, dominoes, and various board games. Her fondness for strategic games and puzzles is a recreational trait still shared by her sons and grandchildren. Annie was a relatively fashionable dresser, thus spent lots of time combing through the women’s clothing racks at mid-and high-end stores and boutiques. With her charming personality, quirky jokes, and willingness to be an impromptu model, she often entertained the establishment’s otherwise bored sales clerks. Annie is preceded in death by her parents, Brister and Ruther Howard, her brother Quincy Howard, her sister Jenny Howard-Hammond, and John A. Ketchens. She leaves to cherish her memory three adoring sons: Vence A. Ketchens (Debby), Albuquerque, NM; John J.Ketchens, Santa Fe, NM, and DeNavar “Deac” F. Ketchens, Palo Alto, CA; five grandchildren: Heather Ketchens-Angeli (Joseph), Sierra Ketchens, Kai Ketchens (Marissa), Cole Ketchens, and Quinn Ketchens; four great grandchildren: Stella Angeli, Tinsley Ketchens, Trenton Ketchens, Bryshire Silva and Harlow Brown, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. We celebrate the endless joy Annie Ketchens brought to all of our lives, and the warmth she still brings to all of our hearts.
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