Annette Phillips Greame

            We are gathered this afternoon to bear witness to our faith in the resurrection, the resurrection of all who are buried in Jesus Christ our Lord, and the resurrection of Annette Phillips Greame.  Annette died on Friday evening.  She would have been 93 on this coming Monday.

            Annette was a native of Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania, near Scranton, PA, where her father owned a hotel.  She graduated from Central High School in 1930. After high school Annette attended West Chester State College for three years, before teaching in one room schools in Rileyville and Lehigh.

            Bob Greame and Annette Phillips were in first grade together in Scranton, but did not meet until much later – in high school.  They dated regularly for several years, breaking up when Annette went off to college and Bob went to work.

            Then after her third year in college, Annette was afflicted with typhoid, and had to convalesce with her parents in the Pocono Mountains.  Bob heard about her illness, came to see her, and the romance was on again.

            One day Bob was told he had a week’s vacation coming, and he needed to take it immediately.  He called Annette up, who had to take the call at a neighbor’s house, since her family did not have a phone, and asked her if she wanted to get married.  This week, he said.   Annette dutifully first asked her mother’s permission, and off they went with Bob’s $100 and a model A Ford.  They shared another 66 years together, and had two daughters, Sally and Bonnie.  Bob died in 2001.

            Bob and Annette lived in a variety of places in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, following Bob’s work with Westinghouse.  They first moved to Richmond in 1961.  After several more moves, Annette and Bob retired here in 1978.  Annette moved to Brandermill Woods three years ago.

            Annette relished in the duties and joys of hearth and home.  She nurtured their daughters at home and supported them in their school and extra-curricular activities.  She was a long time Girl Scout leader and active in the PTA.  Annette did beautiful handwork, especially needlework, for home and for gifts for the hospitalized.  She sewed her daughter’s clothes, often making matching outfits for the family.

            Going back to World War II, Annette was a long time worker for the American Red Cross.  She also volunteered at Chippenham and the old Richmond Memorial Hospitals.  She was a member of the Bon Air Women’s Club.

            Annette was born into the Congregational Church, but spent her adult life in the Presbyterian Church.  During their years in St Albans, West Virginia, Annette helped build the then new Highlawn Presbyterian Church.  She first joined the Bon Air Presbyterian Church in 1961, returning here in 1978, when Bob retired.  Annette worked tirelessly at the Chesterfield Clothes Cottage.  With Bob, Annette was a fixture on the back row at Sunday worship.    

            Annette had two sisters, both of whom predeceased her.  Her beloved husband of 66 years, Robert Harvey Greame, also predeceased her.  Bob and Annette had two daughters:  Sally Ferguson and her husband, Barry, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Bonnie Matthews and her husband, James, of Powhatan;  four grandchildren, Chip and his wife Kellie, Robert and Ashley Ferguson and Jamie Matthews, one great grandchild, Trey Ferguson; and a host of friends near and far.  Our hearts go out to you now, and we would surround you with our prayers and comfort.

            Having gathered for our mutual support, to hear the word of God and to bear witness to our faith, let us worship God:

R. Charles Grant

Bon Air Presbyterian Church

Richmond, Virginia

April 12, 2006