Anne Whitehead

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10.

Anne Effenberger Whitehead entered eternal rest on July 29, 2025. Born October 5, 1939, in Wolfsburg, Germany, to Willibald Oskar and Karoline Inninger Effenberger, Anne grew up in war torn Germany. While she did not relish the telling, she was a wealth of personal stories highlighting the hardship and suffering brought about by war. She often used these stories to remind her daughters and grandchildren of how fortunate they were just to have food to eat. She met and married David Whitehead in Germany and later became a resident of the United States. They settled in Gainesville, Florida where David pursued a graduate degree, and she was introduced to the summer heat in the South. They later relocated to Holly Hill, South Carolina where they raised their 3 daughters and lived out their retirement years. Anne was proud to become a United States citizen in 1989.

With a strong work ethic, she consistently emphasized to her children and grandchildren the value of hard work. She was a conscientious homemaker and worked at the Farmers and Merchants bank when her children were older. A founding and active member of Hope Lutheran Church, she was involved in several ministries, including the Outreach Center providing food and clothing to those in need.

Anne had a deep love for nature and adventure, finding joy in experiencing God's creation through travel, kayaking, swimming at the beach, hiking, and gardening. She particularly enjoyed traveling back to Germany. As a young adult she enjoyed riding on motorbikes and gliders. Later, she celebrated her 70th birthday hot air ballooning with David (in protest) and friends over the lavender fields of Provence. She celebrated her 80th birthday by skydiving.

An excellent gardener, cook, baker, and hostess, she enjoyed hosting gatherings at home in Holly Hill and her beloved mountain house. Guests were often treated to German food and traditions and others counted themselves lucky to receive a gift of her homemade German potato salad. Anne and David hosted several foreign exchange students over the years, forming some lifelong friendships.

Gifted with numerous talents, Anne had an exceptional knack for recalling numbers and doing mental math. These abilities made her a sought-after bridge partner. She loved playing bridge with both the Thursday Night Bridge Club and a morning club, until her eyesight began to fade. Though her eyesight failed, her mind never did as she continued to enjoy puzzles and books on tape. Recently, she was able to recount the salary she earned at her first job as well as her expenses at the time.

Predeceased by her husband of 60 years, David Lauren Whitehead, and granddaughter, Hailey Anne Streater, Anne is survived by her sister Ursula Schneider (Willie); daughters Caroline (Campbell) Streater, Christina (Daniel) Beckmann, and Laurie (Joey) Weatherford; son Frank Beutel; grandchildren Jamie (Kalin) Streater, Jake Streater, Nicklas Beckmann, Chandler Weatherford, Alaina Weatherford, Denise (Patrick) Routon, and Tamara Beutel; great grandchildren Maya Routon, River Chambers, Emery, Eliza, and James Allan Streater IV and special companion Hansie. She is also survived by beloved nieces, a nephew, and many cousins.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank Virginia Bradley, Regina Whetsell, and Catrina Hutson for the compassionate care they showed both her and her David in the last several years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to Hope Lutheran Church, Post Office Box 67, Vance, SC 29163

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at avingerfh.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Avinger Funeral Home, 2274 Eutaw Rd, Holly Hill, SC 29059, (803)496-3434.