Sept. 25, 1923 - April 26, 2009

ELKHART -- Annie McCreary, 85, of Elkhart, died at 4:46 a.m. Sunday (April 26, 2009) at Valley View Health Care Center after an extended illness.

She was born Sept. 25, 1923, to Joseph and Emily (Garland) Hampton in Manchester, Ky. She married Lawrence McCreary in Manchester, Tenn. He died in Elkhart in 1998.

She is survived by six sons, Denver (Patricia) McCreary of Bristol, and Daniel (Christine) McCreary, Charles (Donna) McCreary, Denny (Ida Faye) McCreary, Leroy McCreary and Robert (Alta) McCreary, all of Elkhart; two daughters, Carolyn (Randall) Hinds of Las Vegas and Kathy (Jim) Hora of Goshen; one brother, James (Betty) McCreary of Elkhart; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and one son, Vernon.

Mrs. McCreary worked nearly 12 years in the woodworking department at Dutton Industries, a former Elkhart-area cabinet shop. She enjoyed the outdoors and would spend much of her time in her vegetable and flower gardens. She was a cook and often made chicken and dumplings and applesauce cake. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, listening to gospel music, traveling and crafts including sewing and quilting.

Visitation will be one hour prior to Tuesday's noon service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Pastor Carl Henry of the Northside Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will be at Olive Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Valley View Healthcare Facility of Elkhart in Annie's name. Online condolences may be sent to www.billingsfuneralhome.com.