Annita Maness Brower

September 2, 1890 – November 19, 1968

 Annita Maness Brower, youngest of the nine children born to Dumas Maness and Emeline Strickland Maness, was born September 2, 1890.  She received her education at St. Phillips Episcopal Church and School which was taught by Professors Joel Fuller and Sam Trott.  The school was located on what is now known as Howard’s Mill Road.  To reach the school, you would go North on Highway 705 to Howard Mill Road.  You would travel East on Howard Mill Road past Smyrna Church Road for one-fourth of a mile to the Lemuel Maness property.  This property is located at the corner of Howard Mill Road and Maness Road.  She later attended school at New Zion (located on the New Zion Cemetery property).  Her teacher was Mrs. Annie Brower.

On March 21, 1917, Annita married Henry Thomas Brower, the son of John and Elizabeth Brower.  They were blessed with six children (pictured left – grandson Richard (left end), Theodore, Harrison, Bill, and Sam (grandson), front left – daughter Dessie, Henry Brower (father), daughter Thelma).  Children born to Henry & Annita were; Ervin, Harrison, Thelma Thomas, Dessie Brower, Marvin (Bill), and Theodore (Boochie) all are deceased.

Annita always worked diligently to see that her family was properly cared for.  She sewed and made clothing for the entire family.  So that her family would have food, she canned and preserved fruits and vegetables.  Her family was shielded by the quilts she made for the cold winter nights.  She felt that no one could take care of her own like she could and did.  She was a member of the Bear Creek Congregational Church for most of her life.  She held various offices in the church.

Long-distance travel was uncommon during her lifetime.  She was able to make a trip to visit her sister Candace Maness Garner in Dayton, Ohio.  She also made a trip to Atlantic Beach and a visit to Brooklyn, New York.  Annita made her first two trips to Deepwater, West Virginia to visit her brother Ervin by train.  She was accompanied by her nephew Dossie Maness, Sr.  It was told that Dossie (while in West Virginia) bought a pair of shoes, discovering later that the shoes were a little tight fitting and; therefore uncomfortable.  He passed them on to his son, Dossie Jr. (DJ).  Annita and brother Jesse bartered a hen and other goods and money in exchange for the bell that had once been in the St. Phillips Church and school.  The bell was mounted in the Bloomwood Church and school.  Later it was moved into what is now the Bear Creek Congregational Church.

For many years, until her health began to fail, Annita continued to be a faithful wife, mother, and grandmother.  The twilight of her life was spent in a rocking chair most of the time at her husband’s country store located in the Bloomwood Community on Spies Road in Robbins.  Even though Annita was diagnosed with a condition that doctors say was the hardening of the arteries, it is believed that she suffered from what is today diagnosed as Alzheimer’s Disease.

On November 19, 1968, Annita entered into eternal rest while a patient at Moore Regional Hospital.  Annita and her brother Jesse’s bell tolled at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 1968, signaling the homegoing service for Annita.  Reverend Argo J. Melvin of Fayetteville, NC officiated the service.  Internet followed at New Zion Cemetery on Smyrna Church Road Northeast of Robbins.

As of April 1998, it is estimated that Annita has approximately one hundred fifty descendants.

Summary provided by  Stephanie McCrimmon, daughter of Dorothy Vascille Barrett,  Granddaughter of Tom & Ada Maness Brower, Great Granddaughter of Jesse & Mishie Maness

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Images of Henry & Annita Maness Brower Family