Anne Marcelle (Lyons) French  was born on April 14, 1922 to Preston and Jessie (Lindsay) Lyons in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  On January 5, 1959 she united in holy matrimony to Charles French. She and her husband were married for nearly 60 years.

Anne graduated from Fort Wayne Central High School in 1940.  She accepted the Lord in her life at an early age at Union Baptist Church.  She affirmed her  baptismal grace and was confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church where she was a volunteer of the Food Bank and member of the Women of Bethlehem.  Anne retired from Magnavox Electronic Systems in 1984 after 41 years of service.  She participated in several bowling leagues for many years and was a skilled golfer as well. Anne also was a seamstress and in her later years she  enjoyed making Christmas ornaments to give as gifts.

All of her nieces and nephews called her Aunt Marcelle (rhymes with Lucille), but she was more like a fairy godmother because she made good things  happen. From an early age, she played a special role in all of their lives.

Her caring and mentoring continued with each generation. Aunt Marcelle usually had at least one little grandniece or nephew in her home for a sleepover or to bake cookies, or to just generally have fun because she had a great sense of humor. Aunt Marcelle also filled in as a second mother, took care of her parents in their old age, and helped see her siblings through various challenges.

Anne—Aunt Marcelle—was called home by her Savior on Friday, October 20, 2017, after having lived 95 years, 6 months and 6 days on earth. She will truly be missed, but we are heartened by the fact that she left this earth knowing that she was appreciated, honored, respected, and LOVED by her family.

Anne is survived by her husband, Charles French; daughter, Devon Floyd; granddaughter, Crystal; grandsons, Kevin, Shawn, and Andre; several great grandchildren; special nieces and nephew, Linda Edmonds Stanley, Angela Stanley, and Robert F. Lyons, Sr.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Preston and Jessie Lyons, Sr.; brothers, Harold Sr., Preston, Jr., David, Joseph, and Herbert Lyons; and sisters Naomi Lyons, and Hilda Hackley. 

She will be laid to rest in Covington Memorial Gardens

In Lieu of Flowers Please make donations to

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Memory of Anne M. French

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