Annias Weathersby

Annias Weathersby, (affectionately known as Sonny), age 84, transitioned on November 6, 2020, at 4:00 PM at Dukes Memorial Hospital in Peru, Indiana.  Sonny was born to Ananias Weathersby and Lola Mae (McAdory) Weathersby in Grenada, Mississippi on August 13, 1936.  Although it hurt and wasn't an easy decision to make, however, because of the "Antebellum South ", Sonny's dad, Ananias sacrificed his own desires to allow his son to move "Up North" to a better life.  Anaias sent Sonny to live with his sister, Zella Mae Cole (Grandmother of Pastor Jerry Protho), who lived next door to our family in East Chicago, Indiana.  I was 10 and Sonny was 13.  We were like family... I had 3 brothers and we considered Sonny our fourth... my parents were like his parents.  Years later he would often say, I always liked you waaaaay back then, but we were too young, and anyway, if I had said anything, your daddy would have killed me !"  In return, I would answer, (lol), "You got that right."  Sonny attended Roosevelt High School in East Chicago, Indiana.  He had a thirst for learning and teaching; he was both an avid reader and avid learner.  When he would read late at night, Zella Mae Cole complained about the lights being on- he would then use a flashlight to read under the covers.  It paid off because he earned certificates equivalent to an MBA.  In my opinion he was a genius, especially in math.  When his other classmates were taking arithmetic classes, he was studying algebra and geometry and assisting the teacher in grading papers.  Sonny was employed with Inland Steel in the production department, and ultimately was elevated (college degree required) to train General Superintendents, General Foreman, Foreman, and Supervisors.   After 36 years as a dedicated Foreman, Sonny was retired with honors.  Sonny was a hardworking man; he was a Certified ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Agent.  He managed the store for Hershel who owned Cook's Music & Appliance in East Chicago, Indiana.  He would fix anything ! If it was broken, didn't work, couldn't move, couldn't run, Call Sonny, he would fix it !!!  Sonny loved Sports ! One of his favorites was NASCAR Racing.  He was a fantastic driver and surely would have been a GREAT driver for NASCAR, except his skin was the wrong color- at that time.  Instead, he was allowed to tinker around the pits.  He liked racing so much that as a kid, he and his friends used to drag race in the streets.  In fact, I remember one time (lol) he raced the motorcycle policeman in East Chicago !  He also loved working on cars and was the "BEST" mechanic I have ever known, bar-none !  In his younger years, he built his own cars.  Our friend hit a deer, and on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, (2 days before his death), Sonny hooked up the trailer and pulled the Bronco to Rich's body shop... about a 4 hour drive round trip... he couldn't help it, work was in his DNA.  Sonny also liked  other sports, ie., Baseball, Basketball, Football, and even Fishing !  He was on the Chicago White Soxs second string, but had to stop because he needed income to support his family.  He taught me the plays and rules to all the games and sports he liked; then as we watched "together" he said it was more fun !  He was proud of me (as I was myself), he sometimes said I could make calls better than some officials !  Sonny loved to cook !  Not only did he make meals, but he clipped coupons from Sunday's paper and did the grocery shopping.  He took pride in cooking on all the major holidays.  Sonny often said that as a child living in Mississippi, he sometimes went hungry, and that was the reason no one around him would ever be hungry. He made sure I ate too; even when I didn't want it, he would bring it to me to- :just taste it … Pleeeeeez !"  Sonny was a giver !   He enjoyed giving; he always had something to drop off to someone, somewhere.  I noticed mixed bags of popcorn and caramel corn in the back of the car that he hadn't delivered... spreading the Fruit of the Spirit:   "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.. Against such things there is no law." (Gal 5:22, 23).  I believe he was tired, but didn't want to say no, or give up.  I begged him to rest, but he was determined to finish his task.  I believe he'd want us to know what Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: " The time of my departure is near.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness , which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only me, but also to all have longed for His appearing".  Sonny always said his destiny was to take care of me.  We both knew, and he did it right up to the very last day, "till death did us part."  Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Lola Mae and Anaias Weathersby; sons, Sean, Shannon and Ronnie Weathersby; sister, Alice Marie Weathersby-Crowder; 2 brothers, Freddie and Calvin Thomas; brother-in-law, John Lee Edwards.  Cherishing his memory are, his loving and devoted wife, Apostle Charlie Hardaway-Weathersby; sons, Daryl (Libo) Weathersby, Reggie (LeSeandra Kalyn) Weathersby; daughters, Sherry (Jimmie) Gates, Adrienne Weathersby, Michelle Weathersby, and Sharon Natasha (Mike) Jackson; daughter-in-law, Angela Weathersby, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and dear friends.

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