Mrs. Annetta Lanford Kilgore, 78, a resident of Webb, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at her home.
Annetta was born in Blakely, Georgia on January 5, 1947 to William “Bill” Davis and Miriam Jeanette Killingsworth Lanford. She spent her early years growing up in Columbia, Alabama. She graduated from Houston County High School in 1965, with honors. She was a charter member of the National Honor Society and was a Junior High and Senior High cheerleader, where she loved cheering on the Lions. She always enjoyed working at her father’s drug store behind the soda fountain making Cokes and milkshakes from scratch. She was the winner of the 1965 State Beef Cook-Off in Montgomery.
Annetta graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught first grade at Houston County High School before moving to Webb Elementary School. At Webb Elementary she taught both first grade and was the library media specialist. She retired from the Houston County Board of Education with twenty-seven years of service. Several of her children and grandchildren followed her in the field of education.
Annetta enjoyed traveling and visited all fifty states. She also made many trips to Europe. Her favorite trip was one to Isreal, where she was baptized in the Jordan River. She loved planning trips for other people, as well. She also loved digital scrapbooking and took pride in her family yearbook that she made every year.
Annetta loved her family dearly. Family gatherings were always very special to her. Her grandchildren provided her with many joyful memories. She avidly followed them to sporting events, dance competitions, and school functions. Annetta also had many memories with friends and church groups. Her “Jewels” group was comprised of old friends who met once a month. She was a faithful member of the Barbara Cook Community Group. She loved spending time and traveling with friends. Making and gifting divinity at Christmas gave her great pleasure.
Annetta is preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband of thirty-one years, Jimmy Kilgore, Webb; three sons, Robert Lee Swann IV (Gayla), Columbia, William Matthew Swann (Nikki), Dothan, Christopher Kilgore (Michelle), Webb; two daughters, Kendall Palmer (David), Dothan, Tabitha Gurley (Tommy), Douglasville, Georgia; brother, Billy Lanford (Kathy), Columbia; eight grandchildren, Will Swann, Raeleigh Swann, Anna Caroline Pahmeier (Jonathan), Reid Swann, Camille Palmer, Alexis Gurley, Austin Gurley, and Izzie Kilgore.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Dothan with Dr. Taylor Rutland officiating. A private burial will follow in the Enon Church of Christ Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 1:45 pm at the church on Thursday, June 12, 2025 prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Missions, 300 W. Main Street Dothan, AL 36301.
Serving as pallbearers will be Will Swann, Reid Swann, Jonathan Pahmeier, Austin Gurley, Richard Murphy, Rex Yance, Tommy Freeman, and David Pitchford. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Barbara Cook Community Group and “Jewels.”
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
