Ann McConnell Temple, lifelong resident of the Shreveport-Bossier area, died peacefully on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ann will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Henry Temple; her parents, Massey Keener McConnell and Dorothy Hawkins McConnell; and infant grandson, Patrick Vann Phillips. Memories of her life will be cherished by remaining family including daughter Kelsey Temple Phillips and husband Chandler Phillips, Patrick Massey Temple and wife Jessica Brown Temple, and Leslie Ann Temple Horvath and husband Ryan Horvath, nine adoring grandchildren, Ford, Saylor, and Auburne Phillips, Caroline, John Parr and Lucy Temple, Hayden, Presley and Hollis Horvath; her brother, William Keener McConnell and wife Millicent Parks McConnell, her sister, Suzanne McConnell Hamm and husband Dr. David Hamm, Sr., her brother-in-law, Michael Elliot Temple and wife Sharon Smith Temple; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ann was raised in Rayville, Louisiana, graduated from Rayville High School, and went on to graduate from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Education. She then went on to obtain her Masters in Education plus 30 hours towards her doctorate. She was active in many organizations at Louisiana Tech including Phi Mu sorority as president, Angel Flight Commander and other various clubs. It was there she met Pat Temple, who she went on to marry and remained married to him for 42 years until his death in 2019.
Ann was talented in many areas and loved sharing those talents by blessing those around her with them. As a licensed florist, she shared her love of flowers through providing showers for her friends for various celebratory occasions. She loved music and enjoyed both singing and playing several instruments. She also loved to walk and walked many miles either in her neighborhood or on a trip to the beach. She treasured those walks and used them as a prayer time or as a ministry opportunity to be with others.
Her life is best described as a faithful servant of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her faithfulness was exhibited in all areas of her life, including service to the members of First Baptist Bossier through Sunday School, bereavement meal ministry, church choir, and many conferences through the years. She also lead decades of Bible studies which ministered to many women in the area. Her faithfulness was also shown in her marriage as a faithful wife who honored her husband and supported and served him all of her life. She was a faithful mother who loved and supported her children and provided much needed wisdom through the years. She never missed the special moments in her children’s lives and sacrificed whatever was needed in order to love and help them in their efforts. She was also a faithful friend to many and shared the love of Jesus with them. One of the strongest examples of her faithfulness was to provide a “Prayer Breakfast” for each of her grandchildren. This special event served as a welcome to each child into the family where she blessed them and explained that God had a plan for their life that included knowing Jesus and following Him.
Her last days were filled with love and family by her side as she gracefully fought her three year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The family is extremely grateful for the employees of Professional Sitter Services who helped guide her as she struggled with her memory loss. Of those caregivers, the help of Dawn Atkins and Nydia Wilson was greatly appreciated. The family also would like to thank the staff at The Cottages at The Glen, Dr. Ricky Bass, and St. Joseph Hospice Care.
Services for Ann Temple are planned for Friday, March 22, 2024, at Centuries Funeral Home in Shreveport, LA. Visitation begins at 10AM. Memorial service begins at 11 AM with a graveside service following.
