Anita High Myers Sessoms, 81, of Germantown, TN went home to her Lord on April 7, 2018. Anita was born on May 11, 1936 in Brownsville, Tennessee to the late Will Ford and Emmie Tanner High. She graduated from Lambuth College and earned her Master's of Music from Memphis State University. She was the loving wife of George R. Myers, Jr. before his passing in 1995. Anita is survived by her husband of 10 years Bill Sessoms, son Richard Myers (Elizabeth) of Columbus, GA, daughter Ann Lowery (Bailey) of Germantown, TN, her grandchildren Caroline & Chris Myers, Tanner, James and Will Lowery and her sister Emily Hartnett (Jim) of Dallas, TX.
In her 37 year marriage to George, Anita considered herself his partner in life and work. She supported his career playing hostess for business functions and always preparing homemade candy for his clients’ Christmas gifts; spent hours canning the fresh vegetables and fruits from his garden and caring for his family members as her own as they aged. Anita and George joined Germantown UMC in 1972 and together were long-time members of the Gilbert Sunday School Class. Anita was active in UMW, served on numerous committees, played piano for special events and volunteered lending her time and talents to the service of those in need.
Anita’s first love was piano. While she was a gifted pianist, she felt called to teach at the age of 16. Anita was a beloved and sought-after piano teacher in the Memphis area and for several years had nearly 70 students per year between her private studio, Memphis State Univ. Suzuki Dept. and Lausanne Collegiate School. Her students were quite accomplished, consistently receiving the highest scores in auditions and competitions. As a member of several local and state music teacher associations, Anita held many positions during her career, including president for several terms. Until her retirement in 2008, her goal was to instill the love of music through piano in her students, which she achieved student after student until she retired at age 74. Anita enjoyed playing piano but had the most fun practicing and performing duet recitals in her retirement with her dear cousin, Diane Evans.
In recent years, Anita and her husband Bill found great joy in volunteering at Methodist Hospital Germantown, playing bridge, serving as greeters at GUMC and traveling. Rarely was one seen without the other and the sweet spirit they shared together was an inspiration to all who knew them.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Germantown United Methodist Church Music Ministry or to one of two scholarship funds established by the Germantown-Collierville Area Piano Teachers’ Association, 2343 Wood Bridge Cove, Memphis, TN 39119 or the Greater Memphis Music Teachers’ Association, 362 Clove, Memphis, Tennessee 38117. Donations should be designated to the “Anita Myers Sessoms Memorial Fund”.
