Mary Ann Hannah

Mary Ann Hannah, 92, entered heaven on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, where she reunited with her loving husband Gene. She was born in 1932 at home in Huntsville, Alabama in the shadow of Monte Sano. She graduated from Huntsville High School and attended Howard College where she met Gene in the library. According to her, she was studying; he was looking for a date. She left college after they married and became a preacher’s wife. She returned to college and earned a teaching degree from Auburn University in Montgomery in 1972 and then taught in the Montgomery Public Schools system for twenty years. After retiring, she worked as a teacher in the international ministry of the First Baptist Church and as a volunteer with The Respite Ministry at First United Methodist Church until her move to Birmingham in 2017.

Mary Ann loved Jesus. She loved the church. She loved congregational worship. She saw dignity and worth in every person. She did not abide cruelty, hypocrisy, laziness, or abuse of anyone less powerful in daily life, in the classroom, in the government, or in the church. She instilled all of these beliefs in her sons. She was fiercely loyal to them but quick to hold them accountable if they failed to complete a chore, if they slighted or hurt someone, or if they didn’t try their best. Disappointing her was one of their greatest fears.

She loved Gene. She loved her sons. She loved their wives as daughters. Mom insisted on the importance of family. Holidays were times to gather, and we always had to stay for one more family picture. She loved being “Gram” to Allison, “Meemaw” to Wilson, Wells, and Walker, and “Grandmother” to Spencer, Austin, Grayson, and Bobby. She was thrilled to be the great-grandmother of Beck, Isaac, Emilia, Jack, Isa, Bo, and Ellie Jane. She called each son, daughter-in-law, grandchild, and great grandchild every birthday to sing and celebrate, but not before breakfast. She prayed for each by name every day.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charley and Jenny Holder, her sister Betty, an infant daughter, and her husband, Gene. The family she leaves is her legacy: her son Charles, wife Barbara, their daughter Allison, her husband Frank Price, and their son Beckmann; her son Scott and wife Janie; her son Bill, wife Jennie, their sons—Wilson, wife Sruthi and their son Isa, Wells, fiancé Kelly, and their daughter Ellie Jane, and Walker; her son Buddy, wife Cindy, their children—Spencer and her children Isaac and Emilia and fiancé TJ Greenway with his daughters Stella and Luna; Austin, wife Michelle, and their son Jack; Grayson, wife Cassidy, and their son Bo, and Bobby.

She loved music—there was always a piano in the home. She loved to stay up late and sleep late. She drank coffee all day. She never missed a chance to eat a hot dog, a slice of pizza, some popcorn, or a piece of chocolate. She loved the beach, but oh my goodness, how she loved the mountains. If heaven has mountains, that’s where she and Dad are now.

Visitation will be at Leak Memory Chapel in Montgomery, Alabama, on Friday, January 17 from 1:00 -2:00 p.m. followed by a family-only graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Nehemiah Center, First Baptist Church Montgomery, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 or to The Respite Program, First United Methodist Church, 2416 West Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, AL 36106. Donations can also be made through the Respite Program website, fumcmontgomery.org/ministry/respite.