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From first stage appearance in ’48 to renewed church ministry in ’01

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CUMMING, Ga. (BP)–Recap of Anita Bryant’s life & career:

1940 — Born in Barnsdall, Okla.

1946 — First stage appearance.

1947 — Profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

1952 — First television appearance.

1959 — “Till There Was You” first million-seller recording.

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1960-61 — “Paper Roses” and “In My Little Corner of the World” sell a million.

1961 — First of seven trips to entertain U.S. troops with Bob Hope

1968-80 — Spokesperson for Florida Citrus Growers. Also, Coca Cola, Kraft Foods and Holiday Inns.

1970 — Published first of a dozen books, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.”

1973 — Sang “Battle Hymn of the Republic” at funeral of President Lyndon Johnson and the 1976 NFL Super Bowl.

1976-79 — Voted one of “Most Admired Women in America” by Good Housekeeping magazine.

1977 — Opposed homosexual rights ordinance in Dade County, Fla. On the cover of Newsweek magazine.

1980 — Moved back to Oklahoma with her four children following divorce.

1981 — Opened dress shop in Selma, Ala.

1984-88 — Moved to Atlanta, then Nashville, Tenn.

1989 — Married childhood sweetheart and NASA test crewman Charlie Dry.

1990 — Opened The Anita Bryant Show in Eureka Springs, Ark., and later the Anita Bryant Theatre in Branson, Mo.

1998 — Bought 2000-seat theater in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and performed there until September 2000.

2001 — www.anitabryant.com [3] website goes online. She begins ministering in churches again.
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