ANNIE BELL LAWSON GOODEN

A graveside service for Annie Bell Lawson Gooden will be held at 3 p.m. today at Hillside Memorial Park, 2561 Cains Mill Road, Sumter, officiated by the Rev. Dr. D.L. Grant Sr.

The public may view from 1 to 2 p.m. at Palmer Memorial Chapel, Sumter.

Annie Bell Lawson Gooden, wife of the late Rev. James O'Neil Gooden, transitioned on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Sumter.

Born in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Ephesian and Susan Jones Lawson. Annie, affectionately known as "Sister," raised her family in Sumter and began her career in Sumter School District 17, where she honed her skills to become a dedicated homemaker and caregiver. She started and continued her Christian journey at Orangehill AME Church in Wedgefield, and Enon Baptist Church and Cannon Baptist, both in Sumter. Mrs. Gooden was also the first lady at First Baptist Church, where her husband, the late Rev. James O'Neil Gooden, pastored in Vance.

Annie was preceded in death by her parents, Ephesian Lawson and Susan Jones Lawson; husband, the Rev. James O'Neil Gooden; brother, Ephesian "Sonny Boy"; sisters, Emma and Delores; and great-granddaughter, Nya.

Survivors are her three daughters, Vermel Gillett, Pearl Gooden of Sumter and Susan Farmer of Columbia; four grandchildren, Chrystal Farmer of Arlington, Virginia, James R. Gooden of Sumter, Kisha Jenkins of Alexandria, Virginia, and Kenrick K. Gillett Sr. of Sumter; four great-grandchildren, Brelan, Chase, Tylek and Kendrick K. Jr.; sister, Mary Anderson of Sumter; and a host of loving nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, www.lupus.org, or the ALS Association, www.als.org.

Professional services rendered by Palmer Memorial Chapel, Sumter.