More About Annette

The family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, from Fort Knox, where her father was stationed, after visiting Okinawa, Japan, and a brief stay in Birmingham, Alabama. Once in Louisville, KY, she found a friend who became a sister in Alberta “Sister” Jones. Annette was an avid athlete and competitor. While attending Valley High School, she played varsity basketball, varsity field hockey, and flag football.  She was selected as athlete of the year during her senior year. 

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Annette’s father was a battlefield medic during his time serving his country. He transferred his knowledge to his children, and particularly, Annette took those experiences to their logical conclusion. She enrolled at the University of Kentucky / Lexington Technical College to study Nursing. She graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and began her career as a Registered Nurse at the A.B. Happy Chandler UK Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. After two years, she returned to Louisville, Kentucky, accepting a position as a float nurse at the Norton Children's Hospital, working in virtually every department, with a special affinity for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There she met lifelong friends and colleagues.

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After a brief stint with Humana to gain experience in Discharge Planning, she returned to Norton Children's Hospital to join the growing Discharge Planning team, where she continued to serve, eventually becoming the team manager working alongside the Director, Ms. Sherri Stephan. In 2014, Annette completed her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and continued to grow professionally and academically, completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in 2022. She was recently selected to serve as the Director of Quality and Clinical Effectiveness at the New West Louisville Norton Hospital. She enjoyed her time inspiring nursing students, first as a clinical instructor for Galen School of Nursing and most recently as a clinical lab instructor at Bellarmine University.

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Annette had two great loves in her life: her beautiful Daughter, Jessica Michelle Carlisle, born on February 5, 1985, and her adoring husband, Elder Garry M. Spotts. During her recent illness, as she began recovering from a surgical procedure, she said two things., one a question the other a statement. She asked, “How is Jessica?” and she said to Garry, who was standing at her bedside, “You Look Cute.”

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If you knew anything about Annette, these things always stood out about her, She always wanted to be a Nurse because of her father’s influence, She loved being a pediatric Nurse who advocated fiercely for pediatric care, She loved and fought for Jessica at every turn to see her become the lovely, intelligent woman that she is today and finally, she loved and adored her husband, Garry, whom she affectionately called, “Poppa,” and he called her, “Pippa!”  

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Annette and Garry were college Sweethearts who met in the fall semester of 1980 at a party at the University of Kentucky student center in room 206.  Their first dance was to the Sugar Hill Gang Song “Rappers Delight.”  It was LOVE at First Sight and the beginning of a 44-year love affair that took 27 years to complete, from November 26, 1984, to August 06, 2011.

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Since reconnecting on August 06, 2011, Annette and Garry have never been apart as they were each able to “Exhale.” Through 13 years together and 10 years of marriage, Garry and Annette served the Lord, each other, their mothers, family and a host of others.  Annette is universally loved, respected and will be honored with a foundation in her name, The Dr. Annette J. Carlisle-Spotts Education Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to “Providing Educational Opportunities and Scholarships to African American Students interested in Pursuing Careers in Nursing.” Annette’s doctoral work focused on Succession Planning and Leadership Development for Nurses at the Bedside and Beyond.