Ann Backes Whigham, a native of Mobile, Alabama passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025. She was born on May 23, 1941. She was preceded in death by her parents, James McMurtrie Backes and Gertrude Cowles Backes, and her infant daughter, Ann Cowles Whigham. She is survived by her son, Robert Elmore Whigham, III (Meagher) of Mobile; her daughter Angela Whigham Bell (John) of Mobile; her six grandchildren, John Maurice “Reece” Bell (Jill), Lillian Bell “Lilly” Lyons (Tift), Bowen Whigham Bell, Allie Josephine Whigham, Ann Backes Whigham and Robert Elmore Whigham, IV; her great grandson Nelson Tift Lyons, III; her siblings Jamie Backes Nixon (George), Trudy Backes, James “Jim” Backes, Jr. (Jeanne), Christina Backes “Chis” Benoit and many cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.
Ann graduated with top scholastic honors from Bishop Toolen High School in Mobile in 1959. She served as a class officer, president of Beta Sigma Chi sorority, Miss United Fund, and Azalea Trail Maid and Queen. She attended Trinity College in Washington, D.C. and, completed her B.A. in Political Science at Spring Hill College. She later earned her paralegal certification and worked at a Mobile law firm.
In 1980, Ann opened The Mail Drop at the top of Old Shell Road and became a fixture in the Spring Hill community. She operated the shop for over 15 years, handling mail, shipping packages and nurturing relationships. Her effervescent personality and sincere interest in each customer made the Mail Drop a place for the Spring Hill community to connect to the outside world and to each other. Long after she closed shop, customers continued to bring their Christmas presents to Ann for her creative and impeccable gift wrapping, connecting her (anonymously) to Christmas joy in countless homes. She also loved working at The Holiday and the Sunday nursery at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church, where she gained a reputation as “the baby whisperer.”
Ann was beautiful, talented and creative, but her greatest legacy is the graciousness and kindness which she spread unconditionally to everyone she encountered and which we all should do our best to emulate.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Friday, January 24, 2025. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to St. Ignatius Catholic Church Early Learning Center Fund or Spring Hill College. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
