Ann Reynolds

On June 4, 2019, God called Ann Cowart Reynolds Derthick to her heavenly home. She departed peacefully after a gradual decline in health. Ann was born on June 6, 1940, in Millen, Ga. She was daughter of Lloyd Carlton and Juanita Cowart, and she is survived by her two brothers, James (Veronica) Cowart and Anthony (Tammie) Cowart; and their children, Todd, Jodi, Zack, and Mary Beth. Ann grew up in the tiny South Georgia town of Garfield, where her father farmed peanuts, soybeans, and corn on thousands of acres. She lived by her grandfather and grandmother, James and Susie Womack with whom she was very close. With her mother and grandmother, Ann helped fix a big midday meal of dishes made from vegetables and meats from their farm for her father and relatives who would come in from working in the South Georgia heat. At Emanuel County Institute, Ann was a cheerleader and class valedictorian. Ann attended Georgia State College for Women for two years and graduated from the University of Georgia with a B. S. in Education. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. Ann was married to Henry “Hank” Reynolds for 42 years. They had two children, Britt (Laura) Reynolds and Paige (Drais) Von Hagen. Signal Mountain has been her home since 1972, when she and Hank moved with Britt and Paige from Atlanta, Ga. Spending time with children always made Ann so happy, and she was a patient, loving and nurturing mother, grandmother, and teacher. She taught many third graders over almost 20 years at White Oak Elementary. She and Hank had nine beloved grandchildren: Blake, Lindsey, Isabelle, Grant, Delia, Nate, Franklin, Ila, and Annie. Ann loved being with her grandchildren, reading them stories, giving them attention and lots of love, and making many special memories with afternoons at the Pumpkin Patch playground, fall visits to the Apple Orchard for cider, and after-school trips to the Signal Mountain Cookie Lady, where a picture drawn by her granddaughter and story about their trips there still hangs on the wall.   Ann enjoyed being a member of the Signal Mountain Garden Club, playing tennis, and spending time with her extended family, which includes her brother in law and sister in law, Don and Sandy Reynolds; and their two children, Kelly and Chris. Ann and Hank took pleasure in traveling with their good friends, the Waddys and Raulstons. Several years after Hank’s death, Alan Derthick began sitting with Ann at First Christian Church each Sunday. This led to their dating, falling in love, and ultimately to their marriage in 2013. Their lives have been enriched by their combined families, which includes four children and twelve grandchildren. Ann and Alan continued to enjoy travel, including trips to England, Europe, and Canada. The receiving of Friends will be Friday, June 7th at 1:30 p.m. followed by the service at 3 p.m. at First Christian Church, 650 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, Tenn. 37403.   A family burial will follow. Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tenn. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com