Born Feb. 23, 1927, in Henryetta, she was the first-born child of Ella and Rex Simmons. She was joined in the next few years by siblings Jack and Gertrude. A child of the Depression, Anna worked to help support her family through some tough years and pursued her education with a vengeance. Graduating from Henryetta High School in 1944 and with the aid of scholarships, family support and hard work, she attended the University of Oklahoma, obtaining a bachelor of science degree from the School of Pharmacy in 1948. She was a member of Alpha XI Delta sorority, serving as president during her junior year.
The day after her graduation, she married Hal Hefner, a fellow pharmacy student, also from Henryetta, who she met one summer while working at a Henryetta drugstore between semesters at OU. The couple was married for 65 years, until Hal’s death in 2013. On their 50th wedding anniversary in 1998, they renewed their vows in a celebration with family and friends.
The couple’s first home was in Norman, while Hal was completing pharmacy school. In 1949, following his graduation, they moved to Oklahoma City where both were employed as registered pharmacists at Connie’s Prescription Shops until January 1952, at which time they returned to Henryetta and purchased a drugstore, aptly named Hefner Drug, which they operated for 19 years.
During those years, the couple raised their three children, Tommy, Dickie and Connie. Both Anna and Hal were active in many church, school and civic organizations in Henryetta. Anna was a member of the Ithana Study Club, held several positions in the Webster School PTA and was president of the Henryetta Women’s Bowling Association. She held numerous offices in the United Methodist Womens group and Betty Lou Circle. Both she and Hal served as Sunday School teachers and served on various church committees of the First United Methodist Church.
After leaving Henryetta in 1971, Anna worked for the state Department of Health as a consulting pharmacist and was director of the Poison Control Center. During those years, Hal served as purchasing director for the State of Oklahoma and attended law school, earning his juris doctorate degree from Oklahoma City University in 1976.
The couple moved to Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, in the late 1970s when Hal, an active member of the Army National Guard, was asked to serve on the staff and faculty of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. Anna was a proud military wife during those years, participating in numerous military wives’ organizations and supporting her husband, who retired in 1980 with the rank of brigadier general.
Following Hal’s retirement from the military, they moved to Owasso, where Hal worked in the legal division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission before opening a private law practice and also serving as municipal judge in nearby Collinsville. The couple remained active in the Methodist Church, serving on boards, committees and supporting church building campaigns.
Upon Hal’s retirement in 1999, the couple returned to Oklahoma City, bought a home and an RV, spending the ensuing years traveling extensively, enjoying and supporting their grandchildren and serving as active members of the Wickline Methodist Church. Following Hal’s death in 2013, Anna moved to Rivermont Independent Living in Norman, where she enjoyed social activities that included trips and a lot of competitive game playing. She was particularly adept at Mexican Train.
A lifelong sports fan, Anna wholeheartedly supported OU teams, particularly the football team and the women’s basketball squad. At any given time, she knew every member of every team by name, as well as by their playing record. She was a skilled water skier in her early years and a passionate bowler. She loved watching golf and listening to sports radio. Anna also was a fashionista, never leaving her apartment without every hair in place, her outfit for the day carefully selected and her makeup in place.
A lifelong learner, Anna never stopped expanding her mind, embracing new ideas and growing in her Christian faith. By her faith, she was able to overcome adversity and accept events beyond her control, including the death of one of her sons. She taught her children to work hard, accept civic responsibilities and exercise compassion and gratitude in their daily lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and her son, Thomas (Tommy) Hefner. She is survived by a son, Richard and wife Debra Hefner, of Henryetta; daughter Connie Hefner and Cathy Van Hoy, of Norman; grandchildren Bonnie Hackler and husband Jeff, of Tulsa, Kyle Hefner and wife Lois, of Weleetka, and Kelly Hefner, of Henryetta. She also is survived by great-grandchildren Cate and Lily Hackler, and James Garcia and Hunter Hefner, as well as numerous relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation or Wickline United Methodist Church.
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