Annette Taylor

Simon Taylor 1990 - the Year that Annette was saved and first met Paul & Janet. They have been a part of our lives ever since,

Simon Taylor The start of a very special 28 years of marriage, a miracle

Simon Taylor Annette's words say it all really. Never under estimate the power of your witness

Gemma Culverwell Annette, Simon & Josh at Fiona & Richard's wedding, February 2016.

Andrew Dowsett This picture was taken on Good Friday, 14 April 2017, when Simon and Annette visited Durham. Annette and I worked together on the Alpha course at Emmanuel Church Durham in the early 2000s. Annette was a great support and could always be relied upon. I remember she used to write the Alpha prayer letter and usually managed to include some mischievous comment about the course leader, namely me. It has been a privilege to work alongside such as steadfast woman of God.

Gemma Culverwell Annette and Gemma on their way to Prophetic Evangelism School! A blurry selfie taken on the train to Glasgow in June 2019.

Gemma Culverwell Simon and Annette, Summer 2019

Gemma Culverwell 31 August 2019, Annette, Simon & Gemma took a trip to Roker Pier.

Gemma Culverwell Posted on behalf of Melanie Wood Melanie's memories of Annette - Part 1 I first met Annette when I went to work at Dubmire Infant School, Fencehouses, Sunderland. in April 1989. Ralph and I had moved from Leicester to be involved in church planting and evangelism in the North East. Annette was in her first year of teaching and I was in my second. We immediately became friends and I realised that Annette’s life was so similar to how mine had been before I became a Christian in 1987. I began to talk to her about how my life had changed, and she listened with interest and some scepticism! The following academic year we were moved into adjacent classrooms, with no wall dividing, as it was an open plan school. Working alongside each other was great fun, as we could relieve our stress by glancing over at one another and make appropriate gestures to show our frustrations! To ease the stress on one occasion, Annette sent a child over with my register with a whoopee cushion under their arm, which caused a small riot amongst my class, who were sat quietly in the carpet area! After school we would plan together, which was hilarious, with Annette’s wit and our shared naivety of what was expected of Year 1 teachers at the start of what was the new National Curriculum. Afterwards, we would head back to Annette’s little bungalow to walk Jack the dog and talk about the meaning of life… Melanie Wood

Gemma Culverwell Posted on behalf of Melanie Wood: Melanie's Memories of Annette: Part 2 In the Summer of 1990, Annette gave her life to Jesus. She was very open to the Gospel, reading any Christian books I gave her and was always eager to know what the next steps were in her faith, journaling every step of her journey. Ralph and I baptised her at the swimming pool in Washington, Tyne and Wear. Not long after, the Lord rewarded her with a wonderful husband, Simon. I was honoured to be their chief bridesmaid. In the Summer of 1993, we resigned together from Dubmire Infant School and later both had our first child. Ralph and I left the North East in August 1994, Annette’s word from God giving confirmation to us that it was the right time to return to the Midlands. We remained friends over the years and I always regarded Annette as my ‘spiritual’ sister. The scripture that sums up our relationship best is: Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” She has finished running her race and has inspired us all to keep running ours. I will miss her greatly. Melanie Wood

Gemma Culverwell Posted on behalf of Ralph Wood Ralph's Memories of Annette - Part 2 Annette had a superb sense of humour and was joyous to be around, making me laugh like few others could with her sharp observations and truthful depiction of life. Mel and I shared the privilege of catching up with Netty and Simon in Durham and Sunderland on their 25th wedding anniversary in 2017. We walked and talked together in our beloved Durham City and Roker, catching up on family and church and sharing that same sense of vision and call of God on our lives as we felt back in the early 1990s. During both bouts of cancer that she endured, she showed the same courage, belief and trust in Jesus, never complaining but always witnessing to all around her about the goodness of God and His faithfulness. She faced life and death alike with equal confidence, knowing she was saved by grace and redeemed through the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. In my experience, few people ‘walk the talk’ of the Christian life the way Annette has. She loved and served God and all those around her in a Holy Spirit-filled, unusually powerful way. She was a great woman of God who has now entered His presence and shares in His heavenly inheritance eternally. For Mel and I, she enriched our lives and encouraged and inspired us through her trust in Jesus. We’ll be forever grateful for her friendship, along with Simon’s. Goodbye for now, Annette. Matthew 25:21 ‘H[er] master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Ralph Wood

Gemma Culverwell Posted on behalf of Ralph Wood Ralph's Memories of Annette - Part 1: From the moment I met Annette in our ‘Durham days’, she was a feisty, articulate and strong character, with all of these qualities serving her well when she surrendered her life to Jesus as her Lord and Saviour, following Him wholeheartedly for the rest of her lifetime. Her determination and compassion made her the ideal wife for Simon and ‘Mam’ for Josh, and a great friend to many, as she sought to love others deeply and share the Gospel fearlessly. The King and His Kingdom was at the centre of their life as a family. She selflessly laid down the usual notion of career and ambition to take up a higher calling to be an ambassador for the Lord whom she loved. Annette truly meant what she said and did what she meant. Her direct and insightful words pointed many people towards knowing God. Her prayer life was continual and faith-filled. She inspired and equipped many Christians through her example of godliness and the prophetic words she brought that flowed from her close walk with Jesus. Ralph Wood