Ann Gardner Eady
March 6, 1927 -
November 30, 2016

Visitation

December 9, 2016
5 - 8 p.m.

Service 

December 10, 2016
11 a.m.

Interment

Obituary

 

Funeral service for Mrs. Ann Gardner Eady, age 89, of Fayetteville, TN, will be conducted Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 11 a.m. at The Rock church with Rev. Elmore Torbert officiating. Burial will follow in Gardner Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Friday, December 9, 2016 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home. Mrs. Eady passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Donalson Care Center.

Ann Beatrice Gardner Eady was born in Lincoln County, the second of seven children to the late Claude S. Gardner and the former Lorean Rowe. Her family owned and operated a farm in the Blanche Community, and put in long hours working on the farm as a major source of income and subsistence. Her father was employed as the principal and teacher at the Blanche school, a “separate but equal” first through eighth grade facility, where she received her formal elementary education. Her mother was a homemaker, who had little formal education, but spent countless hours alongside her husband teaching Ann and her siblings there was no “free lunch,” so life skills and ideals of hard work were practiced and developed to enable them to function as good citizens and contributing members of the community.

Both church and school were attended regularly, and there were no excuses good enough to miss a day of either. Attending hugh school presented additional challenges as the nearest high school for person of color was in Fayetteville, and a different lifestyle would be required. Ann was fortunate to be able to “board” in Fayetteville with a very loving but firm lady, Mrs. Ida Riggs, and it was in this supportive environment that she not only completed high school at the age of 17, but was the Salutatorian of her graduating class.

With the support and encouragement of her family, and teacher, Ann went on the attend Tennessee A & I in Nashville, TN and majored in Home Economics and Education. By the time she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree, Tennessee A & I had become Tennessee State University. Equipped with certifications in several subject areas which included all elementary subjects, and secondary subjects including General Science, Chemistry, Biology, English, and Home Economics, Ann returned to Lincoln County and began teaching in the school system here. Early in her career, she returned to college and received endorsements in administration and leadership and served for 5 years as principal of Blanche School, and 1 year as principal of Petersburg School. She was able to return to her chosen field, teaching home economics at West End High School until the school systems were merged through integration and she was placed at Central High School. While at Central, she wrote Lincoln County’s original curriculum for occupational home economics which included food preparation, clothing, and child care. She was granted an annex at the West End High building with a state of the art lab in which to teach. Students were bused in from all county high schools to take part in her program. This program was eventually moved to the Central High School campus, and instead of continuing as a classroom teacher, Mrs. Eady was promoted to administration as Dean of Women and Guidance Counselor. Over the years, as she continued her education, she earned a Masters Degree in Education plus 45 additional credit hours, and attended Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL; University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN; Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN; and Motlow State Community College in Tullahoma, TN. She earned the coveted Career Ladder Level 3 teacher classification which placed her in an elite group of educators-the best of the best. She completed her 43 year teaching career as a Guidance Counselor at Lincoln County High School.

Although Ann was very busy with her career and furthering her education, she did find time for a family. She met and married Robert M. Eady, who had launched a career in the US Army. Robert was dedicated, driven, and was very successful in the Army, attaining the highest non-commissioned officer rank of Command Sergeant Major. They worked well together and built a good life. They had two children, Frederick and Stephanie, whom they raised stressing the importance of education, life skills, hard work, and excellence. Regrettably, CSM Robert M. Eady passed away in 2007. Presently, Frederick is a retired IBM Engineer who resides in Florida with his wife Cindy, their children and grandchildren. Stephanie is a Registered Dietitian employed as the school nutrition program supervisor for Lincoln County Schools. She lives here in Fayetteville with husband Thuston, children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Eady felt it was very important to be active in the activities of her children, so she served as a den mother when Frederick was involved in Boy Scouts, and as an officer for the local PTA when Stephanie was in elementary school. She was a much sought-after member and served on numerous committees and task forces over the years. She has been active in professional organizations, holding memberships in national, state, and local education associations, and serving a term as treasurer of the Middle TN Home Economics Association. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional women’s organization, as a member of the Lincoln County Fair Association, she served many years as its Secretary/Treasurer. She also served on the Fayetteville/Lincoln County Fair Recreation Board for several years. She was also a charter member of Alabama A&M University’s graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mrs. Eady was always active in church activities, and charied many committees and held many leadership positions including Superintendent of Sunday School, Church Treasurer, and Church Trustee.

Mrs. Eady was a person who enjoyed being a part of this community and working with others toward improvement and continuous growth.

She leaves to cherish her memories and mourn her passing her son Frederick (Cindy) Eady of Merritt Island, Florida, her daughter, Stephanie Eady (Thuston) Britt of Fayetteville, Tennessee; Grandchildren Aaron R. Eady, Michael Erin Eady, Melissa A. Eady of Cocoa Beach, Florida and Kimberly N. Eady of Melbourne, Florida, AnToney F. Mastin and Lauren C. Mastin both of Fayetteville, Tennessee and Jeremy Woods of Atlanta, Georgia and Katie Woods of Atlanta, Georgia; great grandchildren Terius (Ty), Kayla, Kendreon, Jordan, Alana, Azharia and Akera; brother in law Stokely (Deborah) Gardner of Austin, Texas; sisters in law Faye Stewart of Nashville, Tennessee and Margaret Gardner of Huntsville, Alabama, special friends Mary B. McDonald, Shirley Dangerfield, Jinson Knott; extra special niece, Dr. Takasha Hubbard Stewart, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

 

Video Services

24 Comments

  1. Barbara

    The sweetest teacher that I have ever had.

    Reply
  2. Donna Mitchell

    Sending my deepest sympathy to you and your family on the lost of your Mother.

    Reply
  3. Jimmy and Diane Buchanan

    To the Family,

    I had the utmost respect for your mother and enjoyed both children in school. She always had a joke for me before we parted. She was a very special person and I know she will be dearly missed by her family and many friends. May God Bless and Comfort You.

    Reply
  4. Terry March

    Mrs Eady will forever be in my heart. She wasn’t only a teacher but also a friend to me and my wife sometimes called her my second wife because I use to spend so much time with her. Love you Aggie. Rest in peace

    Reply
  5. Joan B. Massey

    Freddie and Stephanie, so sorry to hear of the death of your mother . She was a kind and sweet person and a Great educator. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers.

    Reply
  6. Sandy Frankum

    I am so sorry for your loss. Ann was one in a million.
    I really admired and respected her.

    Reply
  7. Walter & MARY WRIGHT

    We will miss Mrs. Eady. I loved to talk to her on the phone. We will keep the family in our prayers and remember that God can comfort you as only He can. May God bless your Family.

    Reply
  8. Rosemary Clark

    Fred and Stephanie, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a force of nature, a strong, intelligent woman who I admired very much.

    Reply
  9. Geda Lynn Craig

    Your Mom was certainly an Angel on earth for many people. What a shinning star. Love to you and your family.

    Reply
  10. Carolyn Moffett

    Stephanie & Family:
    This community has lost a great lady. She was a kind, inspirational, and loving person and will greatly missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Freddie during this time of sorrow.

    Reply
  11. Amy Clark

    Stephanie,
    I have many years of Garden Club memories that include your Mom. She and Mother had been dear friends for so long. She will be missed at all of our activities. But I have no doubt that she is in a better place. I have seeds to plant in the spring from one of her plants. I look forward to having a reminder of her in my garden.

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth Mullins

    I was so sorry to hear that we all have lost Ms. Ann. I have only know her for the past 3 years through the Fayetteville Garden Club and the FCE Club. I loved her wit and wisdom and will sorely miss her. May your family be comforted in the knowledge that she was loved and respected by many many people in our community.

    Reply
  13. Calotta Loyd Edsell

    Stephanie and Frederick – So sorry for your loss. Mrs. Ann and my mother, Minnie Loyd were such great friends and shared some wonderful times together. She was a beautiful, intelligent and wise lady always giving and loving. God bless you.

    Reply
  14. L. Susan Fife Stroup and Ruth Fife

    Stephanie and Fred, Mom and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Both of your parents were such lovely people. Thank you for sharing them with our community.

    Reply
  15. Lois E Chaplin

    Stephanie so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers I will remember you in the next few days. Love you, Ms Lois

    Reply
  16. Martha Pitts

    Stephanie, I am so sorry for you and your family. Know my prayers are with you all.

    Reply
  17. Ann Graham

    I am so sorry to hear about Ms. Ann Eady. She was such a sweet Christian lady and she was my teacher in school. God bless the family.

    Reply
  18. Linda F. Williams

    Stephanie and Family. I am sorry to hear of Ann’s passing. Worked with her for years and loved her. We had some good times at LCHS! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Reply
  19. Dennis Eddins

    Praying for the family. May you find comfort on each other.

    Reply
  20. Dennis Eddins

    Sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. It’s not an easy thing to handle. You have my heartfelt sympathy. May you find comfort in each other.

    Reply
  21. Ronnie and Eloise Hudgins

    You are blessed to have had Mrs Ann as your mom. She was a kind, gentle and loving lady. She had that ability to make your feel special and feel better just being around her. Cherish your memories. U and your family are in hour prayers

    Reply
  22. Jackie Brown Greenwood

    Ms. Ann was an amazing lady. She was very good to me. She helped me with my muscadine jelly and introduced me to figs. Both your parents were so very loved by me. Your father was one of my college professors and he introduced me to your wonderful mom.

    Reply
  23. Christie Mitchell Atkins

    Stephanie ~ I am terribly sorry for your loss. Your mom was a lovely lady – always so graceful and kind! Love to you, dear friend!

    Reply
  24. Carol Norman

    Stephanie and family:
    I’m so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Peace be with you!

    Reply

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Memories

24 Comments

  1. Barbara

    The sweetest teacher that I have ever had.

    Reply
  2. Donna Mitchell

    Sending my deepest sympathy to you and your family on the lost of your Mother.

    Reply
  3. Jimmy and Diane Buchanan

    To the Family,

    I had the utmost respect for your mother and enjoyed both children in school. She always had a joke for me before we parted. She was a very special person and I know she will be dearly missed by her family and many friends. May God Bless and Comfort You.

    Reply
  4. Terry March

    Mrs Eady will forever be in my heart. She wasn’t only a teacher but also a friend to me and my wife sometimes called her my second wife because I use to spend so much time with her. Love you Aggie. Rest in peace

    Reply
  5. Joan B. Massey

    Freddie and Stephanie, so sorry to hear of the death of your mother . She was a kind and sweet person and a Great educator. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers.

    Reply
  6. Sandy Frankum

    I am so sorry for your loss. Ann was one in a million.
    I really admired and respected her.

    Reply
  7. Walter & MARY WRIGHT

    We will miss Mrs. Eady. I loved to talk to her on the phone. We will keep the family in our prayers and remember that God can comfort you as only He can. May God bless your Family.

    Reply
  8. Rosemary Clark

    Fred and Stephanie, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a force of nature, a strong, intelligent woman who I admired very much.

    Reply
  9. Geda Lynn Craig

    Your Mom was certainly an Angel on earth for many people. What a shinning star. Love to you and your family.

    Reply
  10. Carolyn Moffett

    Stephanie & Family:
    This community has lost a great lady. She was a kind, inspirational, and loving person and will greatly missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Freddie during this time of sorrow.

    Reply
  11. Amy Clark

    Stephanie,
    I have many years of Garden Club memories that include your Mom. She and Mother had been dear friends for so long. She will be missed at all of our activities. But I have no doubt that she is in a better place. I have seeds to plant in the spring from one of her plants. I look forward to having a reminder of her in my garden.

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth Mullins

    I was so sorry to hear that we all have lost Ms. Ann. I have only know her for the past 3 years through the Fayetteville Garden Club and the FCE Club. I loved her wit and wisdom and will sorely miss her. May your family be comforted in the knowledge that she was loved and respected by many many people in our community.

    Reply
  13. Calotta Loyd Edsell

    Stephanie and Frederick – So sorry for your loss. Mrs. Ann and my mother, Minnie Loyd were such great friends and shared some wonderful times together. She was a beautiful, intelligent and wise lady always giving and loving. God bless you.

    Reply
  14. L. Susan Fife Stroup and Ruth Fife

    Stephanie and Fred, Mom and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Both of your parents were such lovely people. Thank you for sharing them with our community.

    Reply
  15. Lois E Chaplin

    Stephanie so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers I will remember you in the next few days. Love you, Ms Lois

    Reply
  16. Martha Pitts

    Stephanie, I am so sorry for you and your family. Know my prayers are with you all.

    Reply
  17. Ann Graham

    I am so sorry to hear about Ms. Ann Eady. She was such a sweet Christian lady and she was my teacher in school. God bless the family.

    Reply
  18. Linda F. Williams

    Stephanie and Family. I am sorry to hear of Ann’s passing. Worked with her for years and loved her. We had some good times at LCHS! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Reply
  19. Dennis Eddins

    Praying for the family. May you find comfort on each other.

    Reply
  20. Dennis Eddins

    Sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. It’s not an easy thing to handle. You have my heartfelt sympathy. May you find comfort in each other.

    Reply
  21. Ronnie and Eloise Hudgins

    You are blessed to have had Mrs Ann as your mom. She was a kind, gentle and loving lady. She had that ability to make your feel special and feel better just being around her. Cherish your memories. U and your family are in hour prayers

    Reply
  22. Jackie Brown Greenwood

    Ms. Ann was an amazing lady. She was very good to me. She helped me with my muscadine jelly and introduced me to figs. Both your parents were so very loved by me. Your father was one of my college professors and he introduced me to your wonderful mom.

    Reply
  23. Christie Mitchell Atkins

    Stephanie ~ I am terribly sorry for your loss. Your mom was a lovely lady – always so graceful and kind! Love to you, dear friend!

    Reply
  24. Carol Norman

    Stephanie and family:
    I’m so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Peace be with you!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *