Elizabeth Ann Vails

Ann was born on March 22, 1943 in Baldwyn, Mississippi, to Lamar and Mildred Coker. She was raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, and graduated from Tupelo High School, where she met the love of her life, Charles Vails. They were married on June 23, 1961, and together they spent the next 20 years raising their four children while moving across the country in support of Charles’ Air Force career. During his military service, Ann devoted herself to creating a loving home for their family and also managed a floral shop while stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The family moved back to Tupelo after Charles' military retirement, where Ann worked as a florist and in retail before her retirement from Walmart.

Ann and Charles loved to travel, and spent 1991 pursuing their dream of exploring the country. In 1992, they settled in Linden, Texas, where they carved out a home from 23 acres of pine trees. Ann was an active and loving grandmother, and her 5 grandchildren (and later great-grandchildren) loved spending time with their grandparents, with whom they enjoyed activities such as painting crafts in the putter shed, walking on trails through the woods, climbing the "funny tree", and picking and eating berries and muscadines from the vine.

After Charles’ passing, Ann moved to Copperas Cove, Texas, where she lived near her daughter Cindy and grandson Jonathan, who shares her enthusiasm for growing plants and flowers. Her pets were a special part of her life and she loved them fiercely. She enjoyed thrifting, crafting, sightseeing, and spending time with her family. Ann loved her family deeply and was a constant source of unwavering support and encouragement.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Charles, her daughter Teresa Vails, her son-in-law Jerry Underwood, her parents, and her traveling companion of many years, her dog Sadie

She is survived by her son Ray Vails and wife Peggy of Fort Worth, TX; her daughters, Cindy Underwood of Copperas Cove, TX, and Lorie Murphy and husband Tracy of Saltillo, MS; her grandchildren, Jonathan Underwood of Copperas Cove, TX, Patrick Underwood and wife Bethany of Lebanon Junction, KY, Brandi Giroux and husband Danny of Olive Branch, MS, Courtney Murphy and wife Kaitlyn of Guntown, MS, and Angie Musmecci and husband Logan of Fort Worth, TX; her great-grandchildren Jayla Underwood, Raiden Underwood, Vanessa Nadeau, Marlee Seawright, Chase Seawright, Charli Little, Cooper Gore, and Sawyer Gore; brother-in-law Wayne Vails and wife Jeannie of Saltillo, MS; and her beloved pets Chloe, Lucy, and Winston.

Per her request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your local humane society.