Mary Annette Weindorf

Annette Weindorf sat in her favorite chair, pen in hand, meticulously finalizing her husband Dane's memorial details when she and God came up with a brilliant idea. She would leave behind all those she had raised up with strength, love, and laughter here on Earth to join Dane in a perfect place she had always dreamt of. Being the true friend she was to Jesus, she was more than willing to come and assist with keeping Dane in line. For Annette knew this wasn't an easy task here on Earth, and all those she had nurtured here were sure to miss her, but she had loved them all enough to last their lifetimes. So, on March 3, 2021, with a hop in her step and a twinkle in her eye, on to heaven she went. Mary Annette Weindorf was born November 4, 1942, the third of four children to Loye Alice Carpenter and Earl Benjamin Bing. She grew into a curious, adventuresome child in Portland. Living only a few blocks from downtown, she and her siblings would often crawl under the train parked on the track to reach Main Street, where their father owned a movie theater. As a child, she would often be rescued by her childless Uncle Roy and Aunt Gladys Mathis, who introduced her to the finer things in life. Classmates since kindergarten, Floye Peacock and Annette remained dear friends through the years. Annette transferred to Hamburg High School her junior year, where she became fast friends with Charlotte Knight Thompson and Linda Hill Harville. Annette helped countless families through some of their most challenging times as a DHS social worker for over 30 years, and still found time to invest in her own. Annette was a founding member of the ladies' monthly rook club that has continued to meet for 50-plus years. She was a master gardener, which was apparent to anyone who had the pleasure of visiting her home and garden. In her beautiful yard, she and Dane hosted countless family gatherings, community events, Easter egg hunts for the entire elementary school, as well as garden tours. Annette was a member of The First Baptist Church of Hamburg. She was a passionate member of The Ashley County Historical Society for 15 plus years and had recently shepherded the renovations of the carriage house and upstairs of the museum. Annette and Dane were complete opposites but truly complimented one another. They spent 38 years loving each other and their four children: Dax, Blake, Leslie, and Angie, into a unique, boisterous family. Annette had many aliases. Dane called her Darling, many friends called her Nettie Carol, but over the years, she became Nini to the entire family as well as friends. Nini was always up for an adventure with her grandchildren; Joel, Destin, Drew, Gentry, Evan, Wade Lindon, Skyler, Knox, Pierce, Bryce, and Lucas. There was organized chaos in the form of treasure hunts, tea parties, haunted Halloween trails, learning to drive a stick shift around the "block," prom parties, and weddings. Nini continued her fun-loving antics with her great-grandchildren; Cole, Alex, Caroline, Gennings, Garner, Finn, and Everett. She was elated to learn of Drew and Elizabeth's upcoming addition to the clan. She continued to have a special relationship with Jen, Joel's wife. Nini always said she wasn't the typical grandmother, but she liked to do the fun stuff. What a day of rejoicing it must have been in heaven when Nini was reunited with grandchildren, Joel Whitlow Foote, Lucas Fillmore Weindorf, and Felicia Stock Foote. A memorial service will be held for Annette, along with her husband Dane, Saturday, March 13 at 1 p.m., at the Hamburg City Park. A private burial will be held at the Hamburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Ashley County Museum, PO Box 27, Hamburg, Ark., 71646, in Annette's honor. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jones-Hartshorn Funeral Home of Hamburg, Ark. Online guestbook: www.jones-hartshorn.com.