Annette Middleton

Annette Bullock was born September 14, 1938 in Winnsboro, Louisiana. She was the second child born to Gib Bullock and Mary Jane Jones. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior as a little girl and united with the Pleasant Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church family. She grew in the Lord and served as Sunday school secretary and as a member of the choir. She received her formal education in the Arkadelphia School District graduating in the Class of 1958 from Peake High School. She excelled both in athletics and academics. She knew the importance of connecting with others and made friends easily. Annette blossomed into a beautiful and intelligent young woman. Setting her lofty sights on becoming an educator, she attended Shorter College in Little Rock, Arkansas and lastly Paul Quinn College in Texas for two years where she earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education. In 1965, she was hired by the Gurdon School District where she began a career in teaching that would span over 27 years. She taught 5th-8th grades, was the physical education instructor and girls basketball coach at the all black Bell High School. She was a stalwart educator and was guiding influence during desegregation in the Gurdon School System. At Gurdon Middle School, she taught Health and Physical Education until she retired in 1993. It was also that same year she received the Teacher of the Year Award. She was a member of the Arkansas Teachers Association, now AEA, and the National Education Association. Her stunning beauty caught the eye of Londell Middleton who at that time taught physical education, driver’s education and was the boy’s basketball coach. After a brief courtship they married in June of 1965 at the home of Elder Wheeler. They settled in Gum Springs and the Lord added to their lives Denise, Alfia and Tori. Londell loved Annette and his girls dearly. He showered them with an abundance of love. He was a wonderful provider, giving Annette the opportunity to enjoy the finer things that life offered. They were inseparable and shared 50 years of blissful love and laughter. Annette united with the West Gum Springs Church of God in Christ family where she was a church mother, president of the pastor’s aide committee and was a member of the choir. As an intercessor, Mother Middleton lived a life filled with prayer. She was a strong believer in the power of God to work wonders and perform miracles, which she experienced many times in her life as she fought valiantly against cancer. Even during her time of affliction, she did not waiver in her confidence in God, but stood firm on faith in His Word until the end. Time and space will not allow for a full accounting of the life of this precious Saint of God. She enjoyed cooking soul food, shopping, extended telephone conversations, and clean fun. She was a woman of great beauty, impeccable style, elegance and grace whose spirit brought so much joy in the lives of all she touched. Though she is no longer with us in body, and her irreplaceable presence will be deeply missed, her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who were impacted by the beautiful life she lived. She leaves to relish her memories: her beloved husband of 50 years, Londell Middleton; two daughters, Alfia Middleton and Tori Middleton; her daughter Denise Barton passed into the Lord’s embrace on January 24, 2014; six grandchildren, Brittany Middleton, Kevin Barton, Jr., Kendrick Barton, Ariana Middleton, Malik Middleton, and Joshua Collins; four great-grandchildren, Makiyah Wyatt, Zyon Wyatt, Zachary Middleton, Tynesha Barton; a sister, Seneva Hunter and a brother, Hosea Bullock; two brothers-in-law, Joe (Leva) Middleton and Elder Charles Booker; seven sisters-in-law, Eunice Callies, Varrie Nicholson, Betty Babbs, Mary Knox, Ailene Knox, Carrie Bullock and Helen Knox. She also leaves an abundance of nieces, nephews, other relatives, former students and numerous friends. Public visitation at the funeral home will be held from 1-4 pm on Friday, June 26, 2015 and the family will receive friends from 6-7 pm at West Gum Springs COGIC. A celebration of her life will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Elder James Banks, eulogist. In honor of her life ladies are asked to wear a beautiful hat of their choice. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.