ANNIE PRATT CANTY
Annie Pratt Canty began her earthly journey in Amory, Mississippi, on Oct. 30, 1931. She finished that journey and transitioned to life everlasting on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021.
Annie, affectionately known to her children as "Madee" and her grands as "Grandma," was an only child born to the late Powell Pratt and Jewel Freeman. Her parents; husband, Eugene; two sons, Elmer Earl "Sam" and Keith Edward; and one daughter, Lynwood Canty, preceded her in death.
As a young girl, Annie moved from Amory to Detroit, Michigan. She received her formal education in the Detroit public schools. During the 1950s, Annie moved to Washington state. After joining New Jerusalem COGIC, Annie met and fell in love with Eugene Canty. They married on June 3, 1961. Annie and Eugene were blessed with children and raised their family of seven girls and seven boys with love in the Christian faith.
Eugene and Annie's marriage of 58 years is an inspiration, because of their love and support for each other through the joys and challenges that proved that their marriage was truly golden and solid as a rock.
Throughout the vicissitudes of life, Annie always managed to get right back up again and keep it moving. As a wife, she was devoted and supportive of her husband at home and in his ministry. As a mother, she was caring, loving and nurturing. She was always there for her children. She was with us when we were 100% right and when we were 100% wrong to help us get right. No one could whip with a switch like "Madee." She had a revolving wrist that reminded us that this missionary had a little bit of "gangster."' In spite of it all, we knew that we could always count on "Madee" because we knew that our mother loved us, flaws and all.
She was the perfect neighbor who was always willing to look out for others' property when they weren't around. She was trustworthy and dependable. She made sure the yard was cut and the mail was collected. When someone was sick, she would visit their home to cook and clean for them. There wasn't a job too big or small. She was a true servant who didn't mind serving.
As a missionary, Mother Annie Canty served in the local, state and national Church of God in Christ as a prayer warrior, speaker and leader. She loved working and laboring in the Church of God in Christ. She also enjoyed outreach ministry in the local nursing homes and prisons. Annie loved animals, children, gardening, singing, baking, drinking coffee, fasting, praying, but most of she loved the Lord. She always expressed her gratitude to the Lord for changing and saving her life.
Often she would sing one of her favorite songs that expressed the sentiments of her heart, "He paid a debt He did not owe. I owed a debt I could not pay. I needed someone to wash my sins away, and now I sing a brand new song Amazing Grace all day long since Jesus came and He washed my sins away."
Today we celebrate the outstanding life of Mother Annie Canty for her godliness, prayers, wisdom and eternal legacy that she leaves with everyone that she loved and served. Truly she has planted seeds of righteousness, hope and faith that are destined to spring up in the lives of everyone that she inspired and touched. We bless the Lord for this great woman of God Mother Annie Ruth Canty.
Annie Ruth Canty leaves to cherish, celebrate and continue her legacy on earth and transition into glory: five sons, Jewel Baker of Sumter, Walter (Stephanie) Commandest of Seattle, Washington; Eugene (Hope) Canty of Anna, Texas; Legrand Canty of Sumter; Eric (Ericka) Canty of Sumter; six daughters, Phyllis Young (Larry) of Tacoma, Washington, Debra Commandest of Columbia, Delores (Calvin) Peterson, Lula Canty of Anchorage, Alaska, Tammy Canty of Sumter, and Princess (Pierre Shérif) Dorilma of Sumter. In addition, she leaves 46 grandchildren: Latonya, Dwayne, Wynona, Carlos, Tawana, Asia, Larriett, Larry, Lavaetra, Shameka, Michael, Coco, Sharon, Shaun, Jeremiás, Calvin, Connie, Candice, Timothy, Mandy, Emmanuel, Rachel, Natasha, Cynthia, Savannah, Jewel, Antwon, Spencer, Kareem, Alexander, Carrington, Matthew, Carlton, Olivia, Nikita, Adelola, Anndejia, Dorian, Dariel, Maliah, Erin, Eriel, Simeon, Reginald, Zipporah, Anna; and 51 great-grands and 15 great-great-grands.
The family requests no public viewing.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday at Grace Cathedral Ministries, 60 Oswego Highway, Sumter, SC 29150, with Bishop Sammy Smith officiating and Mother Annie Moody, eulogist.
Entombment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.
Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuaryinc@gmail.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.