Annella Marie (Willett) Waldridge

Annella Marie was born on January 27, 1935, the third of ten children born to Arthur and Margaret Willett. She passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Annella was born and raised on a small farm in the St. John’s community and often looked after her younger siblings. She would joke that she was glad her sisters liked cooking because she would do anything to get out of it. Ironically, Annella retired from the Dietary Department at Western Baptist Hospital in 1997.

Annella met her future husband, Charles, a recent widower, while at a square dance club with friends. They later married in August 1967. Annella was blessed with five bonus children, and she and Charles would later add a daughter to their family of seven.

Annella was a devout Catholic. She began playing the organ in grade school at St. John Elementary and continued playing well into her 80s. Later in life, Annella moved to southern Illinois to be closer to her youngest daughter, however, she was often heard to say, “No matter how far I roam, St. John’s is always my home.”

Annella loved spending time with family. After the death of their parents, her siblings made a tradition to get together every 2-3 years. They began with each sibling (oldest to youngest) hosting the reunion. Since the siblings were spread all across the United States, Annella was able to further her love of travel and visit several areas of the country, even spending a Christmas in Germany with one of her younger sisters.

Annella was also a talented seamstress. She made many clothes for her younger siblings and her children, including shirts, pants, doll clothes, bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses, and wedding dresses. Along with clothing, she was part of the St. John’s Quilt Committee, which made quilts for the raffle at the annual picnic. She also made several quilts for family and friends.

Annella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of almost 20 years, Charles F. Waldridge Sr., two sisters, Rose Marie (Willett) Duppong, and Mary I. (Willett) Ward, two brothers, Paul Willett and Clark Willett. She was also preceded in death by two children, Sharon Ann (Waldridge) Wurth, and Charles F. Waldridge Jr.

She is survived by her remaining children, Billy Waldridge, Jack (Bonita) Waldridge, Karen Waldridge Johnson,and Janice (Clay) Miller; daughter-in-law Minda Waldridge, and son-in-law Ken Wurth. Annella was Gigi to 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-great-grandchildren, with another due in March; three sisters, Monica Stout, Regina “Jeanie” Knott, and Bernadette Gerberding; and a brother, Louis Willett.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Rev. Bruce Fogle officiating. Burial will follow at Maplelawn Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home. The Rosary will be said at 4:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 6705 Old US Hwy 45 S., Paducah, KY 42003, St. John’s Knights of Columbus, 6725 US-45, Paducah, KY 42001, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

For your love and care of Annella, the family wishes to express our upmost gratitude to Fr. Bruce Fogle and the parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Southgate Senior Living, Metropolis, IL, Heritage Woods, Benton, IL, Manor Court, Carbondale, IL, and Fr. Urban Osuji and Sr. Laura Reynolds of St. Joseph Parish, Benton, IL.

You may leave a message or share a memory for the family at www.milnerandorr.com