Annie Jewels Bates was born on July 30, 1938, in Haynesville, Louisiana. She departed this earthly life and gained new life on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital Downtown in Fort Wayne, IN.

Annie was preceded in death by her father, Clemar Bates; mother, Luveta Turner Bates; daughters, Cynthia (Cindy) Ann Helvy and Lisa Yvonne (Bobby) Holmes; two sons, John Dale Bates and Roger Grigsby; one grandson, Bryson Grigsby; one granddaughter, Syrai Grigsby; four brothers, John Bates Jr, John Clemar Bates, Bill Bates, and Sedric Bates; three sisters, Elouise Reed, Norvis Bates, and Doris McGhee. Annie was the youngest sibling of them all.

Annie graduated from Central High School in Haynesville, Louisiana. At the age of 12, she gave her life to the Lord and dedicated herself to living her life for Christ. She married Cleveland Grigsby Sr. and migrated to Dayton, Ohio, and later to Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Annie was a beloved mother, grandmother, and devoted friend who loved serving people, especially children. Annie worked at East Wayne Center Head Start, director of many churches in the city of Fort Wayne, and several other positions, serving with the pure passion of a servant. She was a teacher in the Fort Wayne Community School District, devoted herself as a missionary, and joined the Eastern Star Movement, Fort Wayne District.

She leaves to carry on her magnificent spirit to her treasure to her memory: children—Cleveland Grigsby Jr., Yolanda Lynn Grigsby, Minister Fernanda Yvette Grigsby, Carlos Grigsby (wife Deidria Grigsby), Darrin Marquette Grigsby; 55 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Tree of Life Baptist Church, 520 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Visitation will be held one hour prior.