SAN ANGELO, TX — The family of Annie Bell Samuel, a longtime San Angelo community leader known as “Bigmama,” has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for her funeral after she died May 18 at age 103.
The campaign, listed as “Help Us Lay Mrs. Annie Samuel to Rest,” has raised $1,200 of its $10,000 goal from 12 donations. The GoFundMe states that the family discovered Samuel had outlived her term life insurance policy. Although Samuel had a will and trust, settling legal matters will require court proceedings that could take another two to three weeks, the post states.
“We do want to apologize to our friends, family, and fellow community," information states. "We haven’t been able to inform anyone about anything. Due to the situation we as the family are in need of help to have a home-going service for our community ‘Bigmama.’”
The city recognized her contributions last year when Mayor Tom Thompson issued a proclamation declaring June 7, 2025, Annie Bell Samuel Day in honor of her 103rd birthday. Meals For The Elderly surprised her at home with flowers, a birthday card, and the framed proclamation. The proclamation states that Samuel was widely known for operating Annie Bell’s Beauty Salon and for decades of service at New Light Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and served as president of the mission for 29 years.
“'Bigmama' was willing to cut, style, dress, and make sure you look your best, so we need to do the same for her, so we can lay her to rest," the fundraiser states.
Donors can contribute through the GoFundMe page or call Johnson’s funeral home at (325) 655-3113 to make a payment.
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