Discovering YOU Magazine February 2020 Issue | Page 10

FEATURED ARTICLE

In 2005 on a Monday, Annabelle died of natural causes at her home on St. Simons Island. She was 75 years old. Although, she will be greatly missed by her friends and family, her paintings will forever have an impact on the lives of her fans around the world.

to St. Simons.

Lynda Dalton-Gallagher, art association executive director, described Annabelle as a "true treasure". "She was a joyous and happy person. That came out in her paintings," said Dalton-Gallagher, who also was a friend. "Her paintings made you feel good. There was no way that you could look at them and be sad or depressed. They were so full of life."

Annabelle Washington was the Aunt to one of our writers, Toni Coleman who encouraged her as a child to "create". “For Christmas and birthdays, she would give me arts and crafts sets”, Toni recalls. The first time she gave her a craft set that consisted of beads. Of course, she said she was five years old at the time. Toni sneered and told her, "I don't want these beads!" Annabelle would then sit her down and show her the wonderful things that could make from those beads until Toni understood. She also taught Toni how to knit, sew and crochet.

""She was a joyous and happy person. That came out in her paintings," said Dalton-Gallagher, who also was a friend. "Her paintings made

you feel good.""