She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Bessie Bishop Turner; siblings, Sally Turner, Mary Kuckelman, Jack Turner and Jane Reichart; and sons-in-law, Gene McMeans and W. Patrick McDonald. Surviving are her daughters, Cynthia Cargile McMeans, Priscilla McDonald, Jacqueline Jones and Karen (Michael) Kelly; grandchildren, Pat (Brittany) McDonald, Christopher (Cynthia) Freeman, John Freeman, Braswell Turner (Tara) McMeans, Jeffery (Catherine) Freeman, Elizabeth Kelly and Lelia Ann Kelly; eight great grandchildren, Brooks McDonald, Brittany LeSerra, Rylan McDonald, Daniel Showers, Braswell M. McMeans, Kendall Dougherty, Harlow Freeman and Daisy Ann Freeman; and other family and friends.
Ann was born and grew up in Monrovia, Kansas. She acquired a love for and focus on family, home, church and community from her mother. She participated in 4H club and especially enjoyed home arts like sewing, baking and cooking. Sports were also important in her family, as participants’ and fans. Ann did track & field, including pole-vaulting, played baseball and ice-skated when the pond froze. Her family followed pro baseball by putting the radio in the window & sitting in the front yard with all the neighbors. Their church was the center of their community and Ann developed a close personal relationship with the Lord. She graduated from high school in 1942 with excellent shorthand and typing skills then went to work for the Department of Agriculture.
In the early 50s, she met Charles Jackson Cargile, Jr., an army officer, from the Mobile area. He was at Fort Riley retraining to ship out to Korea. They became engaged by mail, and married when he returned, though were divorced 17 years later. When she moved to Mobile, she brought the skills she had learned and interests she had developed with her. She organized and produced wonderful family meals for decades, including holidays, as the family expanded into multigenerations. As each grandchild, then great-grandchild came along, she was delighted and fell in love again. Everyone was so special to her. She stitched and smocked most of her girls’ holiday dresses. Before the girls came along, she would take the bus to Hartwell Field to see the Mobile Bears play, became a rabid Crimson Tide fan and avidly followed the Braves. Along with family, she attended many events at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Ann was active in civic and political organizations, serving as president in many. Back in the sixties, she was the first woman to run for City Commissioner.
She attended several churches over the years until Cottage Hill Baptist became her church home in Mobile. As her family, then work responsibilities lessened, she was able to participate more in church activities. Samaritan’s Purse was close to her heart but her passion was the homebound. Even after she became homebound herself, she continued her outreach by phone. Her faith, love, kindness and compassion meant so much to many.
She worked as a church secretary, then for the public Works department of the City of Mobile. After retirement, she enjoyed vacations with extended family across the US, including many in Orange Beach.
In spite of poor health in her later years, we are grateful she was able to live out her life at her daughter Jackie’s home, surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends.
Celebration of Life services will be 3:00 PM, Monday, October 14, 2019, in the chapel of Pine Crest Funeral Home. Interment will immediately follow on the grounds of Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama.
The family will be receiving guests for visitation from 1:00 PM until time of service at 3:00 PM, Monday, October 14, 2019, at Pine Crest Funeral Home, Mobile, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.
