Ann Love Whittemore passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, February 19, 2017, from stroke complications, surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. She was a devoted mother, friend of many, and a beloved school teacher in Fayetteville, Tennessee for many years.

The youngest daughter of Dr. Luther and Vera Sanders Love, Ann grew up in Nashville and graduated from Donelson High School.  She attended Ward-Belmont before receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from MTSU and Peabody College, respectively. Ann began her teaching career in Nashville then taught in Memphis while her husband was in medical school. She and her husband moved to Fayetteville, TN to establish his medical practice and raise their family.  After receiving her certification as a speech and hearing specialist, she taught school in Fayetteville for many years before retiring from the Lincoln County Department of Education in 1998.

Ann was deeply loyal to her family, friends and students, sharing their joys and comforting them during their hardships. She was fair minded, patient, and generous, and an advocate for the less fortunate, especially children. Ann was politically active and an avid supporter of rights of the individual. Ann loved taking motorcycle and car rides with her loving companion Hal. She enjoyed water skiing, bike riding, roller skating and needlework. She was a talented seamstress, making her children’s and grandchildren’s christening and wedding gowns, halloween costumes, and baby dresses. Ann loved flowers and grew roses and zinnias, creating beautiful arrangements and sharing them with area nursing homes. She loved music, especially Chopin, and played her piano all of her life.

Her family will miss her pancakes, rolls, salsa and jam and arriving home to pots on the stove. After a visit filled with love and laughter she would wave until they were out of sight, already looking forward to the next visit.

Ann is pre-deceased by her twin brother, Dr. Sam C Love and former husband Dr. Paul E Whittemore.  She is survived by her sister, Frances Love Whittemore, of Donelson, TN, her three daughters, their husbands, eight grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Her children are Betty Ann & husband Hugh Baker, of Kailua Kona, Hawaii and their children Jonathan and Elizabeth; Kathleen & husband Mike Wise of Charleston, SC & Nashville, TN and their children Rachel, Hannah and Spencer; Joanie & husband Michael Lauman of Roanoke, VA and their children Conrad, Cameron and Jake.

Ann is also survived by her devoted friend and fiance of over 30 years, Hal Sanders, of Petersburg, TN.

The family wants to thank the staff of Village Manor in Lewisburg, and Angela and Roxanne from Avalon Hospice. They are especially grateful for the love and compassion the dedicated staff at Bailey Manor gave to Ann and her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ann’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, the American Civil Liberties Union, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004, or a charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. Rev. Terry Little and Rev. Ann Hatcher will officiate. Visitation with the family will be from 4 p.m. until time of service Wednesday at the church. Higgins Funeral Home is assisting the family of Ann Love Whittemore.