Annalee Huntress passed away at her home in Monett, Missouri, on Monday, March 18, 2024. Born August 1, 1932, to Jimmie and Lois Hughes, she grew up on a farm near Aldrich in Polk County. She attended Bolivar High School, then later graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield with her bachelor’s in education degree.
Annalee met Charles William Huntress Jr., in Bolivar on a blind date. The couple married within months, on a scorching hot July day in 1955. They moved to Memphis, TN, where she taught elementary school while he attended the Southern College of Optometry. After his graduation, they returned to Missouri and raised their family in Monett.
Annalee taught elementary school for decades in Bolivar, Memphis, Pierce City, and Monett.Throughtheyears she stayed active in the community, participating in PTA, MSTA, and the PEO Sisterhood. She volunteered extensively with Meals on Wheels, the Monett Museum, the hospital auxiliary in Monett, and in various roles at church. She was proud to be an election officiant. She loved to travel, enjoyed playing bridge, always had a good novel or two going, and was an avid sports fan. In later years, she especially adored her Lady Bears, the St. Louis Cardinals, and those Kansas City Chiefs. Annalee was knownforherwittypoems and found great delight in positively impacting the lives of children, especially her own as mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Her husband, Bill Huntress, preceded her in death, as did her parents, Jimmie and Lois Hughes, nephew Jimmy Parrott, sister Marilyn Parrott, and her sister-in-law, Marilyn Shanahan. Survivors include her children and their spouses: Greg and Suzette Huntress of Monett, Missouri, Charlie and Teresa Huntress of Pierce City, Missouri, and Leanne and John Yarrow of Plano, Texas. Her grandchildren and their families are Kate and Alex Huntress, Cassie and Walter Branch and their children, Aidan, and Addison; Dylan Huntress and Kenzie Gage and children Kora, Bayleigh, and Hayes; Morgan & Christian Wooldridge and daughter Charley Grace, Myles Yarrow, Olivia Yarrow, Hope and Greg Costanzo and son, Trey. Also surviving are her sister Helen Hanigan and husband Mike of Andover, Massachusetts as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many dear friends.
Visitation was held on Friday,March22,from5to 7 p.m. at Waymark Church of Monett, Highway 37 South. A celebration of Annalee’s life was held there on Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Robert Bradow officiating. There was a private family burial at the Monett Oakdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to the scholarship fund for PEO Chapter CN of Monett, MO. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home.