Amy Lee Fannin

Amy Lee Fannin, 52, of Darby, Montana, passed from this life into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ on February 4, 2010. During her battle with cancer, she demonstrated amazing inner strength, never showing any sign of self-pity, but simply trusting God for the strength and grace for each day. She departed peacefully, at home, going to sleep in this world and waking up in the next.
Born May 4, 1957, in Denver, CO, Amy was the eldest daughter of Ken and Wilma Lee. She and her family relocated a few times as her father served in the U.S. Air Force, including Minot, ND, and ending up in Sacramento, California.
She committed her life to Jesus Christ as a child, and remained faithful to Him throughout her adult life. Much of her life revolved around her church family, wherever she happened to be. She most often worked with children, who simply adored her, and who enjoyed her energetic and animated teaching. Her other pleasure in church life was being involved in the music program, singing in the choir, or helping in the percussion section.
Amy graduated from California Baptist College with a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation, but spent most of her working career working as an administrative assistant, purchasing manager, word processor, or library worker. Her last job was serving as the Library Director of the Darby Community Public Library, a job she absolutely loved, and was a perfect fit for, given her love for books, and gift for organizing things.
She met her, soon to be husband, Ron Fannin, in 1983, at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, in Mill Valley, CA. Two years later, after a wonderful friendship, they were married July 4, 1985. There she earned her Masters of Religious Education.
Their married life was full of mutual love and respect, and their different personalities complemented one another very well. They both enjoyed traveling (cross-country road trips, local diners, and Dairy Queen Blizzards); critiquing movies and restaurants; and playing just about any kind of board or card game. They lived in Mill Valley, CA, Sacramento, CA, and Melbourne, FL, before coming to Montana.
They moved to Darby in 2003, as Ron was called to be the pastor of the First Baptist Church. Amy proved to be a great match for both the church and the community. She was a wonderful wife and a wonderful person who endeared herself to so many. She loved living in Darby, getting to know people in community, and enjoying the slower pace of a small town. She could brighten any moment with her presence, enthusiasm, and smile, and certainly lived up to her name: "Amy" means "Beloved."
Amy was preceded in death by her mother, Wilma Inez Lee. She is survived by her husband, Ron, her father, Kenneth Lee, brother, Jerry Foster, and sister, Sues (Sandy) Williamson, all in the Sacramento, CA area; and by her father and mother in-law, Ed and Nancy Fannin; brother-in-law, Ed (Lynne) Fannin; brother-in-law, Steve (Mary) Fannin; sister-in-law, Lisa (Bob) Palanti; and seven nieces and nephews, all in Florida. She will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and co-workers, yet we know, because of her faith in Jesus Christ, and His promises, she is now pain free, well, and at peace in heaven.
Flowers may be sent to Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel, 1010 W. Main St., Hamilton, MT, 59840. Her family suggests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Darby, P.O. Box 99, Darby, MT, 59829