Annie Marie Briggs
Annie Marie Briggs, 93, of Plant City, died July 25, 2016.
She was born Nov. 14, 1922, in Presque Isle, Maine, the second of eight children to Jerry and Lily (Sharp) Gallagher. She graduated from Garland High School and loved telling people she was valedictorian, pausing to add with a laugh that there were only five people in her class. She was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church. She was a past worthy matron in the Order of the Eastern Star and a past mother advisor in the Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
Born into a musical family, she had a voice like an angel and used it throughout her life to glorify God. She was a frequent soloist at church and at many special occasions. She traveled throughout Maine to sing for chapters of the Eastern Star. She loved to sew and crochet. She was famous for her Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, which won several blue ribbons and best of show awards at the Florida Strawberry Festival. She also loved to read, often as much as a book per day. However, if she found a “bad word,” she would throw the book away. In 1964, she married Larry Briggs. They were married until his death in 1993.
She is survived by her daughters, Jeanne Jerfsten (Arne), Deborah Kobritz, of Tampa, and Barbara Kobritz, of Cortland, New York; son, Ret. United States Air Force Master Sgt. John Kobritz, of Plant City; brother, Richard “Dan” Gallagher (Caro), of Roanoke, Virginia; grandson, Evan, of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; special great-niece, Kim Snook, of Merritt Island; “like a son” neighbor, Bob Pietras, of Plant City; best friend, Sylvia Falany, of Plant City; and church family.
The family would like to thank Pastor Rick Phillips, the staff of Carrollwood Care Center and Dr. Adela Oliva for their loving care.
Donations may be made in her memory to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Children’s Way, Enterprise, Florida 32725; Grace United Methodist Church, 1801 E. Cherry St., Plant City, Florida 33566; or to a charity of choice.
A service will be held at a later date. She will be interred in Maplewood Cemetery on the hill, overlooking her beloved home in Garland.
Online condolences may be made at HillsboroMemorial.com.
