NATCHEZ — Services for Anna Laura Squalls, 86, formerly of Natchez, who died Saturday, April 24, 2010, in Chicago, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Baptist Church.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home in Bude.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mrs. Squalls was born Feb. 14, 1924, in Adams County, the fifth child born of Jerry and Eliza Martins. She was educated in the Adams County school system. She was baptized as a young child and was faithful to God all her life.

She married the Rev. Bernard Squalls and became the first lady of Pressing Onward Missionary Baptist Church. Because of her love of God and her outgoing personality, she was a great asset to her husband’s ministry. She loved to study the Bible and could always be found reading the word. She was active in many auxiliaries in the church. Annie Laura also loved to cook. Because jobs were scarce in Natchez, she moved to New Orleans where she found employment in the hotel business.

In 1960, she became the head baker at the well known Pontchatrain Hotel. Her “Seven Mile High Pie” was so famous, the recipe was published in “Creole Feasts-Fifteen Master Chefs of New Orleans.” She was such a superior cook that a number of people hired her to cater their affairs. When out-of-town guests and family members came to the city, they made their way to Annie’s house. She would whip up a scrumptious meal in record time and feed the crowd.

Annie Laura remained in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home. After the hurricane, she relocated to Chicago to be near her sons. She became a member of United Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Wilson Daniels. She remained faithful until her health began to fail.

She was preceded in death by her husband.

Survivors include two loving and devoted sons, Joseph and wife, Annie, and David and wife, Tuanna, all of Chicago; one sister, Marie Ransom of Natchez; four grandchildren, Shelonda, Terrence, Joseph and Jonathan; five great-grandchildren; two godchildren, Lawrence and Melody Spain; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.