Ann Divine Hailey

Passed away Sunday, August 27, 2023 at her home.

Ann was born on December 23, 1931, in Memphis, Tennessee. She is preceded in death by her parents, Hal Hamilton Divine, Jr., and Nellie Keely Divine, husband of 70 years, Robert V. Hailey, Sr., son, Robert V. Hailey, Jr., brother, Hal Hamilton Divine, Jr., sister, Dawn Divine Cianciolo and grandson, Darrin Hailey. She is survived by her children, Mary Lee Payne (Ed) and Amy Louise Hailey (Birmingham, AL), Martina Hailey, and Steve Hailey; five grandchildren, Lindsay Elliott (Chris) of Pikeville, KY, Hailey Jolley (Cole) of Birmingham, AL, Will Payne of Birmingham, AL, Robbie Hailey and Faith Hailey of Louisville, KY; four great-grandchildren, Emma, Erin, and Eden Elliott (Pikeville, KY) and Vince Jolley (Birmingham, AL).

Ann attended Sacred Heart School in Memphis, TN where she graduated valedictorian of her class. She received several scholarships to college. She was employed with the Nashville Boy’s Club of America as well as Bell South where she retired in 1992. She was a member of the Ladies of Charity as well as communicant of St. Edward Catholic Church and later St. Henry Catholic Church. Ann was a devout Roman Catholic and a woman of faith. She was a great example to her children and all those she knew. Ann and her husband attended Cursillo and taught her children how to say the Rosary.

Ann was chosen to represent Sacred Heart High School by attending the Catholic Students’ Mission Crusade meeting Bishop Fulton Sheen in 1946 at The University of Notre Dame. She was presented the Paladin Jewel Leader Gold Ribbon Award for her work with the Catholic Students Mission Crusade by Monsignor Louis Kemphues.

Ann had many talents but was known to play music by ear and sing. She played the organ and directed the choir at Sacred Heart Church (Memphis) as well as St. Edward’s Church (Nashville). She represented Memphis in the US Student Catholic “All Sing” in Detroit, Michigan with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She sang on the radio – WHBQ with Anita Grilli Kerr, WMC Young America Sings, and acted and sang on Junior Theatre of the Air on WREC in Memphis. She acted in several plays at the Children’s Theatre of the Air in Memphis and at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville’s Production of South Pacific as well as the Sisters of Mercy 100 year celebration.

Ann was involved with several bridge clubs/groups. She loved reading and was active in her monthly Book Club. She was a frequent flyer at the library reading a different book every week. She was a beautiful seamstress, expert in knitting, and crocheting. She excelled at everything she did.

Ann enjoyed spending time with her loved ones and looked forward to her monthly visits by her daughters who lived out of town as well as visits from her son and daughter who live locally. She enjoyed playing her piano hours at a time, but she especially enjoyed playing to entertain others. She could play any instrument but took lessons with Cindy Lauper to play a Dulcimer and Ukulele.

Ann was the most thoughtful person who was always offering a kind word or deed to a friend in need. She loved life and lived it to the fullest even playing bridge, bingo, and Mass the week prior to her passing away. Ann will be remembered for her generous love of others.

Pallbearers: Pat Curran, Kevin Hailey, Robbie Hailey, Trip Hailey, Brent Hoadley, Will Payne, and Dr. Bill Huffman. Honorary pallbearers: Kay Hailey Harvey, Beth Hailey Walker, Tommy and Trudy Reale, Marty Keely, Michael Keely, Jim Keely, Charlie Myers, Phil Hill, Pat Higdon, and Jimmy Curley.

Visitations will be held at St. Henry Church on Tuesday, September 5 from 5:00 – 7:00pm (Ladies of Charity will say the Rosary at 6:30 pm) and Wednesday, September 6 at 11:00 am. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 6 at 12:00 noon with burial at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, The Charles Strobel Housing Fund, P.O. Box 25309, Nashville, TN 37202, or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the expert care from Dr. Jia Bi at Tennessee Oncology and the loving care from Eleanor at the St. Thomas Midtown Outpatient Infusion Center.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Hailey family.