Missionary Annie Gatlin

Graveside service will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at Northwest La. Veteran Cemetery.  
Annie Will Bell was born in Longstreet, Louisiana, on May 24, 1936, to Syrenner Crowell and Clarence Bell. One of 16 children, she was always among the smartest of the bunch and it is no surprise that she was elevated in her calling to do kingdom ministry. She served faithfully as the District Missionary for the Mansfield District within the Historical First Jurisdiction of Louisiana for the Churches of God in Christ, since 1976. She also served as the Public Relations Chairperson for several years and was essential in promoting the Jurisdiction across the state and nationally as well.  For more than forty years, she was an instructor in USAC (formerly known as the Sunday School Convention) and has been instrumental in molding and shaping the lives of teens and young adults for three generations.

Always one with a “can do” attitude, she never took no for an answer. She went back to college at an age when most people are taking it easy in retirement.  Because of her tenacious character, she often ended up teaching the class. Missionary Gatlin never met a stranger and was well-loved by people from all walks of life and faith. She helped everyone she met. An anointed singer, no one sang “Amazing Grace” and “One Day at a Time” like she did.

Missionary Gatlin and Deacon Samuel Gatlin celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on March 3, 2020. They often counseled and taught couples on what it takes to make marriage and family successful. 

Missionary Gatlin was preceded in death by her parents, two sons (Wilson Gene and Samuel Leroy); and one grandchild, Syrenner Lynell Price. She will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Samuel Gatlin; her two sons, Bishop Alton Gatlin (Vanessa) of Lafayette, LA, and Ret. Major Jerald Gatlin (Rhonda) of Colorado Springs, CO; three daughters, Theressa Hawkins (Paul - deceased) of Baldwin, LA; Twana Benoit (Austin - deceased) of Lafayette, LA; and Angela Keys (Rickie) of Allen, TX. Missionary Gatlin also leaves a wonderful legacy for the future which includes 15 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and dozens of nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, and friends who will miss her great wit and wisdom.

One of her favorite quotes was from Maya Angelou. “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” She lived up to this profession in every sense.

 

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