Ann Machen

Elizabeth Ann “Annebelle” Machen, 95, of Hot Springs, Arkansas died peacefully at her home on May 21, 2025. She was born in Crossett, Arkansas on April 22,1930, the only child of Hillard Machen and Cleo Barringer.

Annebelle was raised in Portland, Arkansas and graduated from Portland High School. She graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, majoring in Physical Education with a minor in English in 1951. She began her lifelong career in education the following year and worked in the public-school systems of Portland, Lake Village (Arkansas), and Lakeside in Hot Springs.

Ann received a master’s degree from Louisiana State University and took a teaching position at Arkansas State Teachers’ College in Conway (now the University of Central Arkansas (UCA)) in 1959 as an instructor of Physical Education. She advanced to the rank of Assistant Professor in 1975. While there, she taught various physical education classes to thousands of students across the university as well as Physical Education majors and minors’ coursework. She served as an academic advisor throughout her teaching career carrying one of the heaviest advising loads. In addition to her teaching and advising responsibilities, Ann served as an advisor to the Women’s Recreational Association Activities, Women’s Physical Education Majors and Minors Club, and sponsored the UCA Cheerleaders for over 10 years. Ann was extremely well-loved by her students and held in high esteem by her co-workers, as evidenced by the many who continued to stay in touch with her following her retirement in 1995 after 43 years of teaching.

Annebelle was an avid reader, sometimes reading more than three books at a time, loved watching Arkansas sports and keeping up with the various coaching and university changes across the state, working crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and most of all, Annebelle loved her friends and family fiercely, enjoyed writing letters, and sending cards to many.

Although she never married or had children, Annebelle is survived by several cousins and a host of men and women who were privileged to call her “friend.” Most especially, she leaves behind those she called her “Fabulous Five,” the ones who cared for her during her last days: Jim and Monica Shults; their daughter, Kristin; and Bill Sorrels and Elizabeth Farris .

We would like to express our deepest and sincere gratitude to Daniel Disney and Jaime Lewis of Always Home Caregiving and their caregivers Darlene, Joy and Melanie. We would also like to give special thanks to nurses Jessica and Andrea, aide Kelly, and Chaplain James Lambert of Arkansas Hospice.

A Celebration of Life service for Annebelle will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Hot Springs. Her internment will be at Portland Cemetery at a later date. Gross Funeral Home, of Hot Springs, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials in honor of Annebelle’s life may be sent to the Portland Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 37, Portland, Arkansas 71663 or to Samaritan Ministries of Hot Springs, 131 Sanford Street, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901.

Annebelle’s "Fab Five" wish to thank all who loved and befriended their sweet Annebelle.

Guests may register at www.GrossFuneralHome.com