Dr. Ann Pearson was born with peace into a middle-class family in Demopolis, Alabama. The youngest of two children, she was raised by a father who worked for Vanity Fair Mills and a mother who was a stay-at-home mom.

It was an idyllic childhood in small-town Alabama. The doors to their home stayed unlocked, Ann walked to school each day, and cookies and milk were waiting for her every afternoon. Her older brother was always loving and protective during her childhood.

Ann’s father died 30 years ago, but she still reflects on his character, love and faithful witness every day. Her mother struggled with cognitive issues, yet her mind became clear during the last few weeks of her life. Ann treasures that as a gift from God.

The family moved to Monroeville in 1962, where that blessed childhood continued. Ann attended Monroe County High School, served as head cheerleader and discovered a lifelong love of sports.

After graduation, she attended the University of Alabama and remains a devoted Crimson Tide fan. She earned a degree in Consumer Economics and Household Equipment—a fancy name for Home Economics—and was initiated into Kappa Delta Sorority, where she developed leadership skills that would guide her throughout her life.

She married, became the mother of two children, and lived in Knoxville, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; Mobile; and finally Fairhope, where her family settled in 1986. Along the way came changes, challenges and new directions that continually called her to trust God’s plan.

Her first job was with the Tennessee Valley Authority, working in lower-income communities in Knoxville. She later served as a preschool teacher in several of the places her family lived. She also completed the Clinical Pastoral Education Program at Baptist Hospital, where she learned to walk alongside patients and families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Ann began what would become a 40-year ministry at Fairhope United Methodist Church in 1986, serving as Youth Director, Director of Christian Education and Director of Caring Ministries.

Through Caring Ministries, she built opportunities to love and care for people where they were, while creating weekly mission opportunities and spiritual enrichment programs. After two years of prayer, research and planning, Shepherd’s Place Day Respite Program opened in 2009. The ministry provided compassionate care for adults living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, stroke or traumatic brain injury while giving much-needed respite to their caregivers. Ann’s own mother became the program’s very first participant.

Ann earned her master’s degree in Grief and Loss in 2006 and her Doctor of Philosophy in Death and Dying (Thanatology) in 2009. She recently retired after 40 years of ministry and is prayerfully waiting to see where God leads her next.

What has shaped the person Ann has become?

She believes every day is a gift—”like Christmas morning”—while also knowing that life can be hard and that many times we don’t know what to do or say. We simply have to trust God’s promises. By listening well and offering God’s mercy, compassion and hope, Ann has sought to share the love of Christ with every person she encounters.

She is quick to say she never felt qualified for the work God called her to do. Instead, she believes He simply asked her to be willing, and her greatest joy has been serving as His vessel.

Serving others, she says, has been one of the greatest gifts of her life. She returns often to the words of Scripture: “Apart from Him we are nothing, but with Him all things are possible.” God is the vine, and we are the branches. Her encouragement is simple: “Let’s go and live as God would want us to do.”

(Ann has loved, served, and helped so many people in Fairhope, inside and outside the church. I’ve learned a lot from her and had to share a little bit of her on Souls. Lynn)

Here’s what Pastor Michael Precht said about Ann at her retirement service.

“Ann, you have not only cared for us, you have taught us to care. You have compelled us to care. Because for every one of those stories of your care, there is another story of she gave me purpose. She gave me meaning. She gave me the opportunity to serve God and to care.

Your superpower has not only been to care for people, but to find their untapped gifts.

We discover that we most grow when we stretch out our arms in love to our neighbor. You have set the example and spurred us on. We can’t thank you enough for who you have made us.”