Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County Progress To the many people who know her, Annie Lloyd is affectionately called “Miss Annie.”
By Deby Jo Ferguson
Staff Writer
Annie Lloyd, 72, and originally from Commerce Ga. moved to Hayesville decades ago, bringing her divine talent of singing gospel music which she has shared with the community in ways that remain in one’s heart for a lifetime.
“Miss Annie,” along with two of her children, came to Clay County in 1972 where she married Simmon Lloyd. Along with Simmon, his three children and her two, they started their life together and raised their combined family in a three-bedroom home on Town Mountain Road.
The Lloyd’s love brought together a family of seven children, 27 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
“I remember Dot Moore who used to work at the B & T Grocery would ask me, ‘Annie how do you do it with seven kids?’ I told her you just take what you might normally fix for a family and double it. It’s all good and it makes me happy,” Lloyd recalled.
When she retired from the Hayesville School cafeteria after 21 years, “Miss Annie,” still felt her calling for singing and would do so whenever anyone needed her. She also has a love for driving the school bus in Clay County which she has been doing for 34 years now.
“I’m where I want to be driving that bus. Being a people person, I love those kids,” said Miss Annie. “That’s what we are supposed to do, take care of the children. I’ve already got their little Valentines Day bag fixed to give them and I try to give each one of them something special at least three times a year.”
Miss Annie makes it a point to greet students, like she greets most people, with a smile.
“I say good morning and have a wonderful day to each one of them as they get on the bus and for some children, that might be the only good thing they hear. You learn the kids and what they need and that makes me happy,” she said.
Annie’s gift of music has blessed our entire community. She sings at churches, funerals, veteran events, or anywhere she’s needed. I love to hear her sing “Amazing Grace,” which is her most requested song. Miss Annie has a way of singing that song that makes the hair on your arms stand up as she sings praises to God.
“I sing for anyone who asks me. Sometimes I don’t even know the person who passed, but I go if I’m needed. My voice to sing is a gift from God and if I don’t use it then he would just take it away,” she said. “When the veterans ask me to sing, I am always there and I believe that no matter where they’re gathered that place should be full of people. These veterans went and fought to keep us free so we should be there to honor them.”
Miss Annie’s love of the community is as strong as Hayesville’s love for her and she has experienced it on more than one occasion.
“When my husband Simmon passed away I knew I was liked by the community, but it wasn’t until our home that we raised our children in burned to the ground that I told my girls, ‘I always felt I was liked, but now I know the people of Clay County truly love me.’ People took care of me and my family and before our home was finished, we were given a place to stay,” she said.
“People didn’t have to take care of us and we didn’t expect it, but they did. It’s the county we live in and the people who live here. They are full of love and I love being here with them. I was asked if I really wanted to rebuild and I said of course, this is home, I am home in this county with all these people and I would never leave. I am home, “Lloyd concluded.