Ann Maree Lewis Gebhart

Ann Maree Lewis Gebhart passed away on Friday, October 18th, 2024, 6 days after her 76th birthday. If you knew Ann then you knew her flair for drama, but we all agree that dying because of being another year older is a bit too much.

She is survived by the love of her life, Welman Gebhart; cherished daughter, Elizabeth Gebhart; two sisters, Sue Lewis Mitchell and L’Adra Budka; and five beloved Cavalier King Charles spaniel pups – Winston Churchill, Lady Clementine, Merry Merry Marigold, James Bond, and Money Penny.

Ann was born in rural Tennessee to Volta and Mae D. Lewis. Interestingly, she grew up in a house that did not feature the amenity of running water before moving to the metropolis of Huntsville in the 1950s when her father was recruited to work on the Saturn V rocket engines. She was smart and competitive from an early age – starting kindergarten at four because her older sister was starting school, and Ann refused to be left behind. She went from attending school in a one room schoolhouse in the hills of TN to singing in the acclaimed jazz band and graduating from the University of Alabama.

Music and beauty were her passions. She performed in numerous community theater musicals (reprising the role of Anna in the “King and I” twice), sang in countless church choirs for the glory of Jesus Christ, and was a consummate esthetician and hairdresser. Even after losing vision in one eye due to an illness in the 1980s, she continued to cut and color hair and make others stylish and coiffed.

Life with Ann was always an adventure. She was continuously traveling, supporting the arts, and learning about everyone and everything. Many have shared the sentiment that we’re not ready for a world without Ann Gebhart in it. And they are right, but she also built a community around her of friends and family. It is that community that will continue to sustain each other and honor her by living a little everyday as Ann would have – with enthusiasm, grace, generosity, and style.

So much more could be said about her accomplishments, talents, and passion projects, but a little mystery to stimulate conversation would thrill her to no end – so continue to get to know your neighbor and show love unconditionally.

A memorial service is planned for Thursday, October 24th, 2024 at 4pm at the Monte Sano Methodist Church.

If anyone feels so moved to send bequests as sympathies in honor of Ann please send them to the 'Kumu Ola' Hawaiian Children's Choir. Founded in 2022 by Ann Gebhart on West Kauai, Hawaii through the Episcopal Mission of St. John's Church for the glory of God. The children's choir exemplifies her passion for music, her faith in God, and her belief in a child's future.

'Kumu Ola' 'First Source' or 'Tree of Life' is a Ni'ihauan choir empowered in Olelo Hawaii for culture and faith. A scholarship for college or skilled trade has been established for each of the 18 children of the choir.

To donate please go to the choir's website at https://www.episcopalkauai.org/ and click on the blue DONATE button, and type ‘Kumu Ola’ in the Apt. space for special outreach.