Annelle Henderson Douthit passed away on March 16, 2024 at the age of 87. She was born and grew up in Anniston, Alabama. She met her future husband, Buster while playing softball.
Buster was the umpire along with his best friend Max Jones for many of the softball games. They began dating in 1952, Nell graduated Anniston High School in 1953, and they were married in December of 1953. Buster was shipped to El Paso, Texas to Fort Bliss. She had her first baby, Elizabeth one year later at Fort McClellan, Alabama. After living in Texas for two years, she and Buster moved back to Jacksonville, AL.
She started college at Jacksonville State University after moving into a small one bedroom, one bath house with Buster and Baby Elizabeth behind the home of Nannie Douthit and Aunt Pearl. She had childcare for the baby and finished college in record time with an Elementary Education Degree. She then taught at Oxford elementary and then onto Woodstock Elementary.
They lived in Calhoun county for 10 years, having two sons, Terry (1959), and Robert (1964), and then moved to Huntsville. There she taught school at Ridgecrest Elementary until she retired after 25 years of teaching. She then started a second career with Buster by opening a College Bookstore out of the back of a van that served Huntsville and Athens and Tuscaloosa for many years. She was a huge sports fan, played travel tennis and was very competitive. She loved attending games for her sons and grand-children at various sports complexes. Nell followed all things Alabama and Auburn, having jerseys for both based on where her grand-children attended. It was not unusual to get a call from Nell on College Game Day’s to figure out what channel the games were on and translate that to the city she was in. She was an active Volunteer at Huntsville Hospital and the Wellness Center. Nell was active in her Sunday school class at University Baptist and Mt Zion Baptist Church’s. She loved singing in the choir at University Baptist Church. Upon moving to Danberry at Inverness in Birmingham, she was involved In Bible Study, Church on Sunday and many activities such as Bingo, cards and just socializing with her friends and staff. She loved her life at Danberry and was always an advocate for others. Nell was feisty and always making friends wherever she was living. She loved her precious friends in Huntsville and the sweet staff at Danberry.
Nell is preceded in death by her late husband Floyd Buster Douthit (married 64 years), her parents Annie Laurie Henderson and her father Van Thomas Henderson, brothers Van Henderson Jr, Howard (Tex) B. Henderson, Harris Henderson and Jerry Henderson. Nell is survived by her daughter Elizabeth D Guest (Doug), son Terry Douthit (Dawne), and son Robert Douthit. She had 11 grandchildren Josh Phillips, Andrew Phillips, Tim Douthit (Joyce), Jeremy Douthit (Amanda), Nathan Douthit (Kate), Micah Douthit (Taylor), Jessica Douthit Clark (Logan), Mallory Douthit Kelly (Matt), John Douthit, Maddie Douthit, and Jacob Douthit. She has 22 great grandchildren (one more due in May) which she loved following on Facebook and through their parents. She is survived by three brother in laws and two sister in laws that were a very important part of her life and many nieces and nephews. Nell was blessed to have a large family and extended family. She cherished them greatly and they were an important part of who she was.
Funeral Services will be held at MT Zion Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama located at 228 Mt. Zion Road, Huntsville, al 35806 on Friday March 22, 2024. Visitation will be at 10:00 A.M.
followed by a service at 11:00 A.M.
We as a family thank the many friends and staff at Danberry who loved mother well. They talked to her many times throughout the days she was there, always answering her call. We also appreciate Affinity Hospice for their kindness and care. Also we thank the staff at Kirkwood by the River for their care and kindness. Memorials can be given to Mt. Zion Baptist Church Youth, 228 Mt. Zion Rd., Huntsville, AL 35806, or Cornerstone School, 118 55th St N, Birmingham, AL 35212.
