Annie Liberia Durham

Obituary Annie Libera Durham (ne Ward), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt & friend, departed this life June 2, 2022 in Black Forest, Colorado surrounded by her loving family. Annie was born in Memphis, Texas on August 22, 1932 to John Henry and Rosa Jewel Ward. Annies recollections of her childhood were full of stories of picking cotton, driving mule teams, one-upping her brother Johnnys pranks with her younger sister Barbara, and forging her first craft: cooking. Without a doubt, Annie was a Texas girl born and raised who was as tough as she was sweet. Through her best friends Lora & Dora Durham, Annie met the love of her life, Billie Jack Durham. The two were married October 31, 1951 in Headley, Texas, despite the bride getting into a car accident on the way to the church. With the indomitable spirit that carried Annie through her life, a little fender bender was hardly adversity enough to dim her fierce determination. The US Air Force took Bill & Annie on their first adventure to Albuquerque, New Mexico where they welcomed twins Ronald "Dale" & Antoinette "Gail" to the family in 1953. In service to God & country, the Durham family would travel all across America, with Annette joining the family in 1958 in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Jack in 1960. Finally, Virginia "Ginny" completed the family of 7 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1964. Annies first career and devotion was as a mother and homemaker. The family especially enjoyed their time spent in Anchorage & Fairbanks, Alaska. Annie fondly recalled memories of fishing for salmon, picking blueberries with her children to make her famous blueberry sourdough pancakes, and sewing fur lined hooded parkas for a truly Alaskan Christmas card photo. Sparked by her creativity and to help support the family, Annie began to teach herself cake decorating while in Alaska. Already a talented baker and cook, Annie spent long hours practicing her new craft with an icing bag and a rose nail in the dark Alaskan winters. It wasnt long before she became well known for her lifelike iced roses and delicious, extravagant cakes. When the family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, Annie continued to decorate cakes, even opening a shop near Memorial Hospital and later bringing the business into her own kitchen. While her cakes were sought out for weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions, Annies favorite cakes were the ones she made for her family. Every grandchild has a precious memory of a special birthday cake made for them, from cowboys rodeoing to a 3D carousel with cookie horses. Every birthday it was always fascinating to see what she would come up with next! Annies love for her family and her strong faith in God helped her weather adversity. Whether it was loss in the family, a battle with leukemia, or losing her husband Bill, Annie was steadfast as the matriarch of the Durham family. She lived for celebrating graduations, baptisms, weddings and even horse shows with the children in her life. If being a beloved Mimi wasnt already a dream enough, she has been blessed with a gaggle of great grandchildren to adore as well. There was nothing Annie loved more than a little baby in her arms. Annie was a lifelong proud Southern Baptist and a long time member of First Southern Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She leaned on her faith in hard times and taught her family to rejoice in the Lord in good times. She was a devout student of the Sunday School, if for no other reason than the group would lament the absence of her pastries, coffee cakes and other delicious treats! Annie will be welcomed into Heaven by her parents John & Jewel Ward, her brother Johnny Ward, her sister Nita Adams, her daughter Annette Durham, and her granddaughter DeAnna Durham. She is survived by her son Dale Durham (wife, Joy), daughter Gail Ross (husband, Chuck), son Jack Durham (wife, Jodi), and daughter Ginny Vinson-Durham. Her grandchildren Erin Price (husband, Matt), Chris Durham (wife, Jen), JT Durham (wife, Melissa), BJ Ross, Cassie Siegel (husband, Zach), Josh Durham (wife, Becca), and James Vinson. Her great-grandchildren Mikayla & Hunter Price, Wesley, Trevor, Luke & Sadie Durham, Jolene Durham, and Mason, Aiden & Tate Durham. Additionally, her cherished sister Barbara Elem (husband, Jodie) and a wealth of nieces and nephews who adored their Aunt B. And finally, her adored Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Sheba Durham-Siegel. Services will be held June 17, 2022 at First Southern Baptist Church at 1409 Palmer Park Boulevard in Colorado Springs, Colorado at 12:00 pm. Graveside service will follow at Simla Cemetery in Simla, Colorado at 3:00 pm. Annies love of roses was well known and flowers can be sent to First Southern Baptist Church in her memory. Donations in her memory can also be made to the Colorado Cancer Coalition at coloradocancercoalition.org Services Funeral Service Friday June 17, 2022 12:00 PM First Southern Baptist Church 1409 Palmer Park Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Burial following the Funeral Service Friday June 17, 2022 Simla Cemetery Hwy 24 and Ute Avenue in the northeast part of Simla Simla, CO 80835