Annette Stansel

Annette Stansel 81 of Cleveland passed peacefully into eternal life on Tuesday morning, September 5, surrounded by the love of her husband, children, grandchildren, and dear friends. Annette was born in1942 in Orangeburg, South Carolina to the late James H. and Helen Schulyler. She lived in many small towns throughout the United States where she developed friendships that last until this day. She and her family settled in Cleveland in 1979 and knew they had found the place they wanted to stay for the rest of their lives.

Annette was an active and loyal member of Wesley Memorial Church, where she participated in the Joy Sunday School Class and volunteered with the Sack Pack Program. She volunteered as a mentor for Tennessee Promise, answered the crisis phone line for New Hope, and dedicated time to many other organizations over the years. She loved to travel with family and friends, particularly cruising and beach trips where she enjoyed "riding the waves" and snorkeling. She had visited every U.S. State and six of the seven continents. She would have gone to Antarctica, given the chance. She documented all of her travels and family get-togethers with pictures and had them neatly labeled and organized in more than 100 albums. While on vacation, one of her favorite things to do was soak in a hot tub and have conversations with anyone who would listen. She never met a stranger and made friends wherever she went. She loved playing cards, especially bridge, and was a member of several bridge groups. She also enjoyed being part of the Ridgewood Ridgettes and always looked forward to neighborhood activities. Anyone who knew her knows that she loved to snack, and there was never a trip or gathering where snacks weren't provided.

Annette is survived by by her husband of 60 years, Ben Stansel; her sister, Joyce Geaslen (Art), of New Bern, NC; her children: Jim (Christy) Stansel of Cleveland, Pamela (Mike) McMillan of Thompson's Station, TN and Amy Glenn of Smyrna, TN; grandchildren: Zachary McMillan (and fiance, Sierra Todd) of Amarillo, TX, Amanda (Donovan) Levenhagen of Chattanooga, Wesley Glenn (Isabel Cook) of Charlottesville, VA, Steven (Alejandra) Stansel of Cleveland, Claire Glenn of Louisville, KY, and Allison McMillan of Thompson's Station, TN. She also leaves behind many additional relatives and very special friends.

A memorial service will be held at Wesley Memorial Church in Cleveland at 7 PM on Friday, September 8. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM. The service will also be live-streamed on the church's website. Donations may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga/Cleveland.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Annette or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.compaionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.