Anna L. Mead

Anna Lois Doss Mead, daughter of Dwight William and Mary Imogene Pipes Doss was born on Friday, November 13, 1925 in Pasadena, CA. She was the middle child of five. Ann peacefully left us, to be with the Lord, on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at the age of 87. She will be greatly missed.

Early in life Anna changed her name to Ann. Ann graduated from Roosevelt High School (1943), received her BA (1950) and MA (1963) in Education at California State University, Fresno. She worked 33 years for Fresno Unified School District and was an adjunct faculty member of Ottawa University. Ann touched the lives of many people throughout her varied work career.

Ann married Jack Whitby in 1946 and their daughter, Jan Tracy Whitby, was born on June 25,1957. Ann was divorced from in 1959 and married Charles Reed in 1966. She and Mr. Reed were divorced in 1977.

In 1988 she joined a group of bicyclists and rode across country for the American Lung Association. On that trip she met Larry Mead. Their friendship blossomed after the trip and in 1990 she married the love of her life. During the next 17 years, she and Larry enjoyed traveling the world, much of it on bicycles.

In 2007 she lost her beloved Larry to cancer. Soon after Larry's death, Ann decided to ride 82 miles on her 82nd birthday with her long-time friends. It was a tradition that she had begun with Larry, riding their age in miles every birthday. At 82 years-young she had endured breast cancer, two hip replacement surgeries, logged thousands of miles on her bicycle and still completed the 82 miles. She was a survivor.

Ann was blessed with numerous talents. She loved to play the piano and organ at Fresno First Baptist Church. She was also a vocalist, a motivational speaker, and program specialist. She was blessed with a talent in writing. She published several books of poetry and children's stories. She loved to present musical and lecture type programs for specific audiences. Because her talents were a gift to her, Ann was dedicated to sharing them with others in her church and in her community.

She was a strong and faithful member of Fresno First Baptist Church and of several educational organizations.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence "Larry" Mead; her sisters, Betty January, Julia Steffensen, and Mary Jean Steffensen.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Jan Tracy Whitby Reed, brother, Dwight William Doss, Jr. and his wife, Shelley of Dallas, Texas, stepdaughter Melody Lucas, stepson Randy Mead and his wife Patti, stepson David Mead and his wife Barbie, grandchildren Matthew, Anthony, April, Kevin and Tyler, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her family will always be grateful for the care and loving friendship of the wonderful staffs at Carrington Point, Cottonwood Court, Saint Agnes Hospice, and Dr. Rod Kraft's office.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A Graveside Service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. A Memorial Service will follow at Fresno First Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Fresno First Baptist Church, 1400 E.Saginaw, Fresno, CA 93704 or to Saint Agnes Hospice, 6729 North Willow Avenue, Suite 103, Fresno, CA 93710.