Ann Alderson Parker, 72, passed into the eternal love of God on January 8, 2025.  We think she couldn't possibly live without our dad, Gordon, who passed eight days prior.  Ann was born on January 26, 1952, to the late John and Mary (Bailey) Alderson in Charleston, West Virginia.  Even though her early years were spent in Summersville, WV, the Aldersons made the move, like many others in the late 50s, to Ravenswood, WV, so John could work at Kaiser Aluminum.

Ann graduated from Ravenswood High School in 1969 and moved to Huntington that fall to begin classes at Marshall University. Ann majored in education and graduated with a degree in Special Education, then moved to New Haven where she started working for Mason County Schools.  Ann taught special education at Letart Elementary, then moved to New Haven Elementary, then to Mason Elementary, and upon its closing, moved back to New Haven Elementary where she would retire with 37 years of service in 2010. The last 17 years of her career, Ann taught 5th and 6th grade English, spelling, and grammar.  In fact, I'm a little nervous typing this out for fear of typos.  Mom is probably one of the reasons we did so well in college and our Masters programs, Laura and I would always call and have her listen to our papers and edit them for us over the phone.  Ann was also a member of the New Haven United Methodist Church where she served on many committees throughout the years.

Ann was preceded in death by her wonderful father John Henry, loving mother Mary Irene, younger brother John Henry II, mother-in-law Irene Parker, and the absolute love of her life, Gordon.  She is survived by daughters Laura (Robert) Brinker of Letart, WV; Kat (Tyler) Weiland of New Haven, WV; and Lindsey (Josh) Marotti of Cincinnati, OH. Grandchildren Mary, Kane, and Levi Brinker of Letart, WV; Henry and Harrison Weiland of New Haven, WV; Draven (Taylor) Savage of Ionia, MI; and Dil Frasher of Cincinnati, OH.  Sisters-in-law Pam Ricer, Kim Holsinger, Virginia Parker, Dana Henry, a host of nieces, nephews, and two cheeky cats, Walter and Jack…who are now our cats.

Ann loved scrapbooking, putting together puzzles, and traveling, especially to the Outer Banks, North Carolina, which was one of her and Gordon's absolute favorite spots.  The Key Lime Pie from Dinky's in Cape Hatteras was their favorite, so have a slice in their honor if you ever find yourself there.  She was a huge Marshall football fan, she was on campus the night of the 1970 crash which would forever change her.  She also loved watching the Buffalo Bills and the Wahama White Falcons, especially watching her grandchildren Mary play volleyball, softball, and play in the band; Kane and Levi wrestle and play football and baseball; and Henry and Harry wrestle and play soccer.  She, like Gordon, was a champion for the underdog and loved teaching and helping her community with the late Debbie VanMeter through Bend Area Share-a-Christmas for many, many years.  We have fond memories of going shopping late at night and wrapping what felt like hundreds of presents for those in need and seeing the smiles and tears of joy on the parents' faces when they'd come pick things up because they would have gifts to put under their tree that year.  Mom also loved a good debate, but one hill she would die on is that Glenn Frey was the superior Eagle, not Joe, Don, or Randy.  I think she even had her own national day of mourning when he passed in 2016.  She also never passed up the opportunity for a drum solo on the steering wheel anytime "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins came on in the car.

Mom loved teaching and had the uncanny ability of remembering peoples' names, it could have been a student she had in 1976, but she still remembered them and usually a story or two to go along with it. If you ever had mom as a teacher though, you were probably introduced to the Hank the Cowdog book series, she LOVED reading out loud to her students and we loved listening.  If you ever got out of line though, she had a handy old pair of solid steel dressmaker shears that she would bang on the side of her desk to make sure she had your attention, it worked, every time.

After our dad passed, I continually read posts and messages saying, "Where you saw one, you always saw the other…They were a testament of true love…They truly were the love of each other's life."  All these things were true, and while we're sad and will always miss them terribly, we take comfort in knowing they were only apart for a mere eight days and will now spend eternity together.

A joint memorial service and celebration of two lives well-lived will be held for Ann and Gordon on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 1:00PM at the New Haven United Methodist Church in New Haven, WV. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation, please donate to the New Haven United Methodist Church, PO Box 327, New Haven, WV 25265 or to the Marshall University ALS Clinic - checks can be made out to The Marshall Foundation with "ALS Support Fund" in the memo line, mail to Sarah Clemins, Smith Hall 143, 1 John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755.