Anna Marie Essex, 78, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Evergreen Senior Care & Rehab Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Wenatchee, WA on November 20, 1939, the daughter of Fred Butterton and Nan (Pflug) Butterton.
Anna was a faithful and active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Anna was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2008 and spent the last 6 years in Evergreen Manor.
Anna Marie graduated from Campion Academy in Colorado and attended Pacific Union College in California and Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) in Michigan where she studied secretarial science and met her husband, Robert and later married in Utah on June 18, 1961. While there were many moves due to her father building dams all over the country, many job opportunities presented themselves, Anna Marie worked in the secretarial field, and publishing field most of her life including 14 years in the Acquisition Department of the Review and Herald Publishing Association. Anna also worked for a period of time in a women's shelter which she found especially rewarding.
Anna is survived by her Husband of 56 years - Robert Lee Essex of Battle Creek, Michigan; Two Daughters, Toya Marie (Gary) Koch of Williamsport, MD, Teresa Marie (Jack) Valentine of Camas, WA; Two Sons, Robert Lee (Linda) Essex Jr., William Thomas (Brilsy) Essex, both of Battle Creek, MI, One Sister, Yvonne Raub of Sacramento, CA, Nine Grandchildren, Shaun Valentine, Jaude (Valentine) Barboza, Kristi Valentine, Hayley Essex, Duke Essex, Jake Essex, Nathan Essex, Gabriel Essex and Nicholas Essex, and One Great-Grandchild, Leo. She was preceded in death by her Father, Fred Butterton, Mother, Nan Butterton.0
Although a hard-working mother, Anna found time to substitute teach, play games with her children, ride and take care of horses, and sew clothes. She was kind to all, seeing only the best in others. She gave herself to make other peoples' lives better. She endured her son's practical jokes with smiles and laughter.She was known for her spontaneous gestures and the fun trips she often planned for her children and grandchildren. She was the epitome of "grace".
The family would like to send a special thank-you to Evergreen Senior Care and CentraCare for taking care of Anna for the last 6 years.

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