It was in the fall, more specifically, on the 29^th of September 1947, a day full of anticipation and excitement that God meticulously fashioned Annie and loaned her to Abraham and Katie Mitchell in Akron, Ohio.  Annie lived in Akron all of her life and was always affectionately called Ann by her family and friends. Ann was educated in the Akron public school system where she graduated from North High School and went on to attend the University of Akron.   She was smart as a whip always excelling in her studies and walking away with high honors.  She won an award from her school and from the Beacon Journal for her essay on “What Music Means to the Community”.   She loved music and shopping as well. She was united in marriage to the late John Wesley Lowe and from that union one son,  John Wesley, Jr.  was born.  After the dissolution of this marriage she continued to hold her head up high and despite all obstacles encountered, she remained a very positive, strong-willed person with a joyful spirit and a deep love and concern for people.  She worked over 37 years for Bear Marketing in Richfield as a Secretary.  When she retired she continued to work at her church in the mornings and TJ Maxx in the evenings for 20 additional years. Ann was an active member of the Akron Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church where she served as the Church Secretary for many years.  She also served as Sabbath School Secretary and Church Clerk.   She loved her church, in fact, most of her activities were centered around the church.   She enjoyed her work and positively affected the hearts and lives of so many children and adults alike.  In 1952 she met, courted, and fell in love with Arthur Cleveland Clark, and after he popped the question, they were married and bonded together for nearly 68 years.   Ann was the epitome of a wife who considered her marriage vows sacred?   She stood by her husband’s side, loving, honoring, and cherishing him to the very end.  At times she may have been tired but not weary.   She never complained.   He was the joy of her life.   Their lives were deeply enriched by the birth of their only child, Karen, a very kind and industrious person.   She married and established her own family and gave Ann and Art 3 beautiful girls.  Ann took great pride in her granddaughters — offering them unconditional love, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, indescribable embraces, remarkable wisdom, daily prayer and occasionally financial support. Ann had a comedic sense of humor and there was sunshine in her smile and genuine love in everything she did.  Many can testify to her calming spirit of care, concern, and her fantastic gift of hospitality—often opening her home to entertain members.

Her home was constantly a place where many sought and found refuge.  It was ‘A House by the Side of the Road’ because she was host to many visiting pastors, guest speakers, and singing groups.  People knew if you wanted a good meal, go sit at Ann’s table.  She was a phenomenal cook who had no limits and set no boundaries but generously gave of her time, her love, her means, and herself.   In her presence, you could feel the genuine, friendly atmosphere.  Her love for our Lord and for her church was evident.  Ann was a quiet, gentle woman of integrity who loved to read,  shop, and cook and entertain. Only  4 weeks prior to her demise, Ann suffered a soul-wrenching experience.  Her heart was  broken when  Arthur Cleveland Clark, her soulmate of  68 years, fell asleep in Jesus. Her own physical illness and the shock of a broken heart made it too difficult to cope, thus on  March 21, 2020,  the  Lord she loved intervened and allowed her eyes to close in sleep.  The family is encouraged by  God’s promise  “The  Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are  crushed in spirit”. (Psalms 34:18)

Ann will be laid to rest beside the love of her life, Arthur C. Clark.  She  leaves to cherish her memory, her adopted nephew, Oliver France Michelle); sisters, Ruby Butts and Kathy Davis of  Harvest, AL; grandchildren, Danielle, Candace, Taylor, O’Rel, Alexa and Evyonne;  many nieces and nephews.  We all look forward to a grand reunion on the sea of glass, to see her affectionate smile, and to hear her say once again “God was always in control ”.