Anna Mary Stoltzfus

On Sunday, March 18, 2018, Mrs. Anna Mary Stoltzfus went to be with The Lord and received her Crown of Glory. She entered the pearly gates after 76 years of full, abundant life surrounded by her husband Jonas of 56 years, children and grandchildren. They sang her favorite gospel hymns, a pastime her family often partook in together, wrapped in each other’s arms and by her side at Forsyth Medical Center. Mrs. Stoltzfus was born July 14, 1941 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Amos and Anna Kauffman Lantz.

Mrs. Anna Mary was steadfast and unwavering in her relationship with The Lord. She was a member of Thanks to Calvary Baptist Church and served in multiple church ministries. She was a faithful choir member and sang in the soprano section; a nursery Sunday school teacher; a cheerful greeter to all members and all visitors and tended to flowers outside of the church. She found joy in giving handmade gifts to all of the children and members at each and every opportunity presented; prepared snacks for the Calvary Kids Club in addition to bringing special homemade cookies for church events; she was a faithful sender of cards to sick members; was active in Mercy & Truth Ministries which gave Christmas gifts, Christmas meals and a Bible to over one-thousand less fortunate individuals and over five-hundred nursing home and assisted living residents in 2017.

Outside of serving at her home church, you could most likely find Anna baking her famous fresh bread, shoo-fly pies or whoopie pies for anxiously waiting guests. On a typical day, you would also find in the kitchen any two of her seven children tousling over who would get the last piece on the table. She loved to prepare homemade meals with food grown and raised at the Stoltzfus farm. She loved to sew and quilt. After their children left the home, it became a family tradition for all of the family to gather together for a meal, sing and enjoy the outdoors in each other’s company many times each year.

In addition to her parents and stepmom Lizzie Fisher Lantz, Mrs. Stoltzfus was preceded in death by her four brothers, Benny Lantz, Jonathan (Yoni) Lantz, Jacob Lantz and Reuben Lantz and sister, Katie Lantz. Survivors include: her husband, Jonas E. Stoltzfus of the home; sons, Steven Stoltzfus and wife Tammy of Jonesville, Alvin Stoltzfus and wife Anita of Mount Airy, Daniel Stoltzfus and wife Gina of Thurmond, Aden Stoltzfus and wife Stephanie of Kernersville and Matthew Stoltzfus and wife Tiauna of Grafton, NH; daughters, Marion Braden Alexander of Pfafftown and Elaine Eggert and husband Dale of Las Vegas, NV; brothers, Elmer Lantz and wife Rebecca of Christiana, PA and Amos Lantz and wife Amanda of Christiana, PA; sister, Amanda Fisher and husband Isaac of East Earl, PA; grandchildren, Lantz Stoltzfus, Jordan Hutson and husband Andrew, Adrian Stoltzfus and wife Traci, Austin Stoltzfus and wife Erica, Aaron Stoltzfus, Autumn Stoltzfus, Amos Stoltzfus, Travis Luffman, Heather White and husband Michael, Luree El-Beshti and husband Malik, Tyler Stoltzfus and wife Ashley, Dylan Stoltzfus, Sadie Stoltzfus, Ashley Billings and husband Dustin, Andria Eggert, Claire Stoltzfus; and great grandchildren Janie Mae Stoltzfus, Joseph Rocco White, Theodore Michael White, Hazel El-Beshti, Magnolia El-Beshti, Wyatt Stoltzfus and Anna- Lorynn Stoltzfus.

Mrs. Stoltzfus was the embodiment of Proverbs 31. Just as Proverbs 31:28 states, “ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. ” Her signature gift of joy, shown through her love for God, zest for life and contagious smile, will never be forgotten. A “Celebration of Life” for Mrs. Anna Mary Stoltzfus will be conducted Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. at Thanks to Calvary Baptist Church, 1522 Austin Traphill Road, Elkin, NC 28621 with Rev. Jeremy Simpson, Rev. Donnie Shumate and Rev. Steve Stoltzfus officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. The family would love for those who join them in celebrating her life to wear something colorful, as Mrs. Anna Mary loved being able to wear garments with beautiful colors or patterns.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mercy and Truth Ministries at P.O. Box 107, Elkin, NC 28621. Yet, the Stoltzfus family encourages you to embrace and carry out the qualities in your own lives that Mrs. Anna Mary possessed: stand firm in the will of God, have love for all people, serve others with no expectation and remember that life is never too busy to spend time with those who are dear to your heart.