Ann Bartlett Hearin

Ann Bartlett Hearin, a native of Mobile and long-time resident of Baldwin County died peacefully at her Point Clear home on Monday, April 13th after a lengthy battle with dementia. She was 88 years old.

Ann was a 1956 graduate of Murphy High School and a 1960 graduate of Sweet Briar College. She was presented as a debutante at the 1957 Camellia Ball and reigned as Queen of Carnival in 1958 with King Felix, III, James McDavid Hirs. After college Ann lived in New York City for several years where she worked for Vogue Magazine. She later returned to Mobile where she taught ballet for Miss Eileen Cowles’ Dance Studio. Ann had a refined appreciation for ladies’ fashion and in the 1980’s she opened The Country Boutique, a ladies’ dress shop, in Point Clear. The shop was immediately successful, and she owned and operated it for several years. She was a member of The Junior League of Mobile, The Venerable Order of St. John and several mystic societies. Ann was also a very devoted supporter of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team and was a member of the Red Elephant Club of Alabama.

A life-long member of the Catholic Church she was a parishioner of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Fairhope and attended Saturday afternoon mass regularly for many years until her illness prevented her from attending church.

Miss Hearin was predeceased by her mother, Louis Chamberlain Hearin, and her father, William Jefferson Hearin, Jr. She is survived by first cousins Sharon Chamberlain Irby, Bart B. Chamberlain, III, Rex Rapier, Jr. and other relatives.

In recent years Ann was known for her philanthropy, especially in support of the visual and performing arts. In her last years, under the auspices of The Community Foundation of South Alabama, she created the Ann B. Hearin Foundation to provide financial support to many of the local visual and performing arts organizations in Mobile.

Many thanks are due the wonderful caregivers who kept Ann safe, well and happy in her home throughout her final illness: Kimberly Montgomery Davis, Wanda Thompson, Anthony Bracy, Jenni Cloninger, Kaylee Cloninger and Tori Trent.

A graveside service will be held at the Chamberlain plot at Magnolia Cemetery on Friday, April 24th at 11:30 with Father Bry Shields presiding. At noon, following the service, there will be a Celebration of Life reception at the Mobile Carnival Museum at 355 Government Street, Mobile, 36602.

Memorials may be made to Classical Ballet of Mobile at P.O. Box 8124, Mobile, AL 36689-0124, The Mobile Symphony Orchestra at P.O. Box 3127, Mobile, AL 36652 or the Mobile Carnival Association at P.O. Box 2121, Mobile, AL 36652.