Annette Wisch

Alberta Ann “Annette” Wisch joined her Savior and her husband in Heaven on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at age 90. She lived a long and productive life for almost 65 years beside her husband Bud.

Alberta Ann Abshier was born in Beaumont, Texas on February 4, 1931 to Roy Edward Abshier and Hettie Geneva Abshier. She attended elementary school in Anahuac, and ultimately moved to Houston, graduating from Lamar High School. After completing core courses at Dallas Baptist College, she enrolled in Lily Jolly School of Nursing in Houston where she received her (RN) Nursing degree in 1953, which was also the year she married Bud Wisch and moved to West Columbia, Texas.

Besides having and raising two children, Annette over the years was actively involved in the First Capital Study Club, American Legion activities, fundraising for the West Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the being on the ground floor helping to establish the Columbia CEMS, and served on the CEMS Auxillary for many years, and continued to support it as long as she was able.

Annette was an ardent supporter of teaching, sharing, and supporting our history for her children, and all who would follow. She was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT). She worked on numerous local projects, including the San Jacinto Day Festivals, the construction of the First Capital Replica, the Stephen F Austin Statue, and the move and preservation of the Laura Underwood House. She volunteered as a docent giving tours at the Varner Hogg Plantation in Varner Hogg State Park during special occasions.

Annette never worked as a full-time nurse, but was always on the spot to do vaccinations, TB tests, and screenings at the local schools for the children in her community. This was an age when polio and measles vaccines were not taken for granted.

She strongly lobbied for library services for children to bring the “Book Mobile” to West Columbia.

A woman of strong faith, she spent her life as a faithful member, Sunday school teacher and a vacation Bible school worker. She prepared food during hurricane disasters and the loss of loved ones, while also singing in the choir. She was a prayerful servant of God at three of the local churches in the area over the years…Bethel Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, and Columbia United Methodist Church. She admired and praised how all of the small town’s faith communities came together in time of joy, or crisis to help the community, or strangers in need.

Annette was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bud; her parents, Roy and Hettie Abshier; and her sister, Vera Dea Johnson.

She is survived by her daughter, Dea Provenzano; her son, Scott Wisch and wife Cheryl of Arlington; Grandsons, Matt Wisch of Grapevine, Bryan Hankins and wife Nicole of Angleton, Zack Wisch and wife Brady of Mansfield; and great grandchildren, Kalyn, Madison, Ava, and Rivers Hankins of Angleton.

Pallbearers will be Bryan Hankins, Curtis Dillard, Matt Wisch, Zack Wisch, Brandon Mikel, Doug Johnson, Cliff Roberts, and Jason Smith.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at C.T. Baker and Sons Funeral Home in West Columbia, Texas. Graveside services are to be held at Cedar Lawn Haven of Rest Cemetery in West Columbia at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 1, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Columbia United Methodist Church, 315 S 16th St, West Columbia, Texas 77486

West Columbia Fire Department, P O 306, West Columbia, Texas 77486

West Columbia CEMS, 400 N 13th St, West Columbia, Texas 77486