ANNALEE HUNTRESS

Annalee Huntress, 91, of Monett passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024. Born Aug. 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 degree in education.
She met Charles William Huntress, Jr. of Bolivar on a blind date. The couple married within months, on a scorching hot July day in 1955. They moved to Memphis, Tenn., 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.
She taught elementary school for decades in Bolivar, Memphis, Pierce City, and Monett. Through the years 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 and she was proud to be an election officiant.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Greg (Suzette) Huntress of Monett, Charlie (Teresa) Huntress of Pierce City, and Leanne (John) Yarrow of Plano, Texas; two grandchildren and their families; many great and great-great grandchildren; as well as her sister, Helen (Mike) Hanigan of Andover, Mass; as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Huntress; her parents; her nephew, Jimmy Parrott; sister, Marilyn Parrott; and her sister-in-law, Marilyn Shanahan.
A celebration of life was held on Saturday, March 23, at Waymark Church of Monett with Pastor Robert Bradow officiating. There was a private family burial at the Monett Oakdale Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home.