Ann Keirsey passed away on March 6, 2024, just 2 months shy of her 102nd birthday. She was born on May 6, 1922, to parents John and Lilly Hendrix whose growing family already included Albert, Agnes, Ada, John, and Marion. Ann’s baby sister, Mary, was born 5 years later. The family lived on a farm near Paragould, Arkansas, where parents and children alike participated in cultivating and harvesting cotton. In 1928, when Ann was 6 years old, her father died suddenly, and left mother and seven children to move on and face the Great Depression that began in 1929.
In 1941 Ann met Harlan Keirsey at a carnival in Paragould where his minor league baseball team was at spring training. The couple developed a “long distance relationship” until World War II when Harlan went into the Navy and Ann took a job in the ordnance plant in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Harlan was a member of the US Navy Armed Guard while Ann helped in the manufacture of bomb detonators. In 1943 Ann made the trip from Little Rock to Gulfport, Mississippi where she and Harlan were married. He was briefly stationed at the Naval Construction Battalion Center there. The couple were then apart for the entire last year of the War.
After World War II, Harlan and Ann moved to the Keirsey family farm near Ballard, Mo. It was there that she learned many of her famous cooking skills from her mother-in-law Macy. She was a good student, because she spent most of her life cooking wonderful meals for her family and friends. She also spent much of her time knitting and crocheting sweaters and scarves for most everyone she knew. Her most passionate hobby was photography. She always had a camera at family events to make memories as well as taking many pictures of flowers and scenery.
Ann and Harlan were blessed with three children: Suzanne Stricklin, Michael (Therese) and Mitch. Michael and Therese have four children Angie Dunsford (Brett), Beth Keirsey, Jeff (Codie) Keirsey and Lauren (Jeff) Stiles. Mitch’s (Gail) children are Kayla Keirsey and Ryan Keirsey. Ann’s grandchildren brought her great joy and for the past fourteen years she enjoyed her great grandchildren: Suzette Atis, Suriana Atis, Erin Dunsford, Greyson Keirsey, Elise Keirsey, Ruth Stiles and John Daniel Stiles. Her greatest joy was her family – in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.
Ann was preceded in death by husband, Harlan, her son Mitch, three brothers, three sisters and several nieces and nephews.
Ann will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her, and we know she appreciates your attendance today.
Funeral services are at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson with Wes Larson officiating. Burial will follow in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery.
A Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 in the Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959
