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Obituary for ANNETTE J. FUNN
ANNETTE CYNTHIA JONES FUNN “Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18a Annette Cynthia Jones Funn – Scientist/Microbiologist; community organizer & leader; master networker & voice of reason; facilitator & negotiator; strategist & motivator; writer & public speaker; teacher & visionary; encourager & peace maker; patient with & passion for people and activist. On Saturday, July 30, 2016 at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, Annette Funn, , surrounded by her immediate family, stepped into eternal life to live in Heaven for all eternity in the Presence of The Lord with all the generations who have gone before us. Annette was born May 30, 1942, the oldest of four children to Clarence Matthew Jones and Mary Louise Newton Jones Brooks of Reedville, Virginia, who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her brothers Clarence Garfield “Jack” Jones and Marshall Leon Jones, Sr. Annette accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at 8 years of age and was baptized in the Chesapeake Bay at Taylor’s Beach in Reedville, Virginia. She joined Shiloh Baptist Church in Burgess, Virginia, becoming an active member in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Lott Carey Missions and wherever else she could serve and learn, even as a child. Annette attended Julius Rosenwald School in Reedville, Virginia, graduating from Central High School, Northumberland County, Virginia in 1960. During her high school years she became inspired by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, educator, civil rights activist and founder of Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, Florida. Annette attended Virginia State University where she had the opportunity to participate in a civil rights march in Petersburg, Virginia with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King when he selected her to be a “platoon leader” for the march. Annette had the opportunity to continue her education attending numerous universities during her 35 years as a microbiologist, Senior Science Public Health Policy Advisor, Consumer Safety Officer & Supervisor at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She attended USDA Graduate School, University of Rhode Island, University of Wisconsin, University of South Carolina, Georgetown University, American University and George Washington University. Not only did Annette receive an education at Virginia State University (VSU), she was also pursued by (at least that’s what he thought) and caught by her life companion and soul mate, Malcolm Lloyd Funn. They met on VSU’s campus October, 1964, and married June 3, 1967. During her life Annette was always committed, dedicated and involved. A few of the organizations Include past State President (only African American in 90+ year history) of the Maryland Federation of Business and Professional Women, leading delegations to Honolulu, Hawaii, the Hague, Netherlands and Auckland, New Zealand; past State President Gideons International Delmardic States Auxiliary; past Co-President League of Women Voters Calvert County four years; group founder & chair to organize National Council of Negro Women’s Section in Prince George’s County in 1980; a past local president of Toastmistress International Chapter and Blacks In Government Parklawn; past active member, Largo Civic Association specializing in planning and zoning issues; National Congress of Black Women member; Member of the NAACP; Member of Shiloh Benefit Fellowship, a former vice chair of the 13th Circuit
Judicial Nominating Commission appointed by Maryland Governors. Winner of numerous community awards, citations, letters of accommodations, etc. Recently she has been vice chair Calvert County Commission for Women; Commissioner, Judicial Compensation Commission appointed by Maryland governor; League of Women Voters former Maryland State Board Member & a Director Calvert County Board; Co-Chair of many League studies and moderator of education and candidates’ forums; co-founder Concerned Black Women Calvert County; member Closing the (Education) Gap Coalition; Women’s Network Action Coalition Equal Pay Committee chair; Healthy Lifestyle Impact Council/United Way; Ladies Sunday School teacher; Bayside Baptist Church Trustee and Church Clerk. Former Board Secretary Ruth’s Miracle Group Home Foundation. Professionally, Annette retired as a scientist from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration where over 35 years of responsibilities included the roles as a bench microbiologist, Senior Science Public Health Policy Advisor; National Manager of FDA’s 50 plus Advisory Committees for consumer members; Consumer Safety Officer and Supervisor. Recipient of many workplace awards that included HHS Secretary’s Award of Excellence to Implement the first Food Labeling Initiative; Exceptional Performance regarding Patient Representative serving on Cancer related Advisory Committees; Commendable Service Award; Outstanding Achievement Awards and Exceptional Performance Award in organizing public policy national meetings in the area of bioengineered foods plus. Employed 2 years as an Oceanographer, Smithsonian Institute where duties involved travel to countries of Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in South America; a moderator of scientific sessions in the American Society of Microbiology. How she was able to juggle her professional career, her volunteer community activities and her time with family was a living testimony and a miracle. Annette leaves to celebrate her home going her “soul mate” husband, Malcolm Lloyd Funn of 49 years; very seldom did you see one and not see the other, and a loving son, Kelby Monroe Funn; a sister, Carolyn Jones Gray; a brother-in-law, Charles Oscar Funn; a sister-in-law, Nancy Walton Jones; five step sisters, Rosa Brooks Jefferson, Lorraine Brooks Dobyns, Willie Mae Brooks Lee, Charlene Brooks Dates, and Regina Brooks Thompson; four aunts, Martha Jones Lee, Shelia Jones Lewis, Helen Jones Treakle and Emma Smith Jones; one uncle, Walter Ulysses Jones “Tootie”; five nephews, Raymond Gray, Marshall Jones, Jr. “Denny", Eric Gray (Jacinta), Kyle Funn (Nadia), Kristopher Funn (Paige); two nieces, LaTia Jones, LaMarr Funn; and a host of Jones, Newton, Funn and Brown cousins, in addition to a myriad of family members and friends.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS PLEASE DONATE BIBLES IN ANNETTE'S NAME TO: GIDEONS INTERNATIONAL, P.O. BOX 140800, NASHVILLE, TN 37214-0800, P: 615-564-5000, www.gideons.org
