Stephen Charles Annett

Stephen Charles Annett, 63, of Abilene, Texas, passed away April 28, 2016. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Hillcrest Church of Christ in Abilene with John Driggers and Terry Brown of Hillcrest Church of Christ officiating. Graveside services and burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, at Forest Chapel Cemetery in Chicota, Texas, near Paris, Texas, with Kenny Horner officiating. Steve was born in Kermit, Texas to Charles and Betty Annett on June 23, 1952. He graduated from Iraan High School in 1970. He then attended Abilene Christian University for two years where he made many lifelong friends. Steve never knew a stranger, loved to tell stories, hunt, fish and cook barbecue on his pit. And of course, the bigger the group, the better. His welcoming spirit and happy disposition drew people from all walks of life. There is much to learn from how he treated others – always trusting and loving to all. He was truly a servant, consistently helping others in his own, special way. He also was a singer, crooning many beloved Marty Robins songs, and the old, traditional church hymns at the same time. If you knew Steve, you knew he was always humming or whistling a favorite hymn or country western song. He was the youth group leader at Montgomery Church of Christ in Albuquerque, New Mexico and kept his ties to many of the young men and women who knew him as “Bubba”. He loved them all. When he returned to Abilene, he became involved in the Singles Bible Class at Hillcrest Church of Christ and many other classes there. Through his work as a bail bondsman, Mackie Construction, and his catering barbecue “on the side”, he met and befriended many others. Love describes many things but most of all, it describes the heart. Steve will always be remembered for having a heart of love and compassion. Steve was preceded in death by his father, Charles Howard Annett, whom he dearly loved. Steve is survived by his daughter, Lacey Elena Hayles, his son and spouse, Curtis and Alana Little; 2 sisters, Katherine Diane Horner and spouse, Kenneth Lawrence Horner, Debra Jane Lanham and spouse, Keigm Lanham; his mother, Betty Jane Porter Annett; he was “Paps” to his 2 grandchildren, Nicholas Norrell and Delia Rose Hayles. He was Uncle Steve to many nieces and nephews and affectionately known as “Cowboy Steve” to his many great nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Ron Barton, Kolby Horner, Mike Long, Rick Perkin, Terrell Rideout, Terry Scarborough, Randy Stevens and David White. Memorials may be given to Ben Richey Boy’s Ranch, P O Box 6839, Abilene, TX 79608, or the Albuquerque Children’s Home, 5700 Winter Haven Road NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87120. The family of Stephen Charles Annett wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hillcrest Church of Christ, Hendrick Medical Center and staff who took care of Steve, The Hamil Family Funeral Home, Kent Anderson and all the sweet angels who showed up at the hospital, took care of mom, called, and took care of our family needs in honor of Steve. A scripture chosen by one of his former youth group members to describe Steve says, “there is no doubt we will know who are Christians and that Steve’s BIG love for all left no doubt”. John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”