Rachel Ann Harbin

(Rachel) Ann Epps Harbin was born in Colbert, Georgia on May 18, 1928 to John Samuel Epps and Nettie Carithers Epps. She died peacefully June 13, 2020. As the youngest of seven children Ann was doted on by her brothers and sister. When she was young, the family moved to Wattensaw, Arkansas where her father and mother farmed, and her father worked on the WPA (Works Project Administration). A child of the depression, Ann grew up a country girl, who, in her younger years, lived without the advantages of running water and electricity, but with every advantage of a father who used his grit, wits, and know-how to provide for his family, and a mother who lived in service to her family and others. Ann knew she was loved and provided for. She frequently said that she grew up poor but didn't realize it. Being raised by subscribers to the tenants of "Idle hands are the devil's workshop," when Ann wasn't picking strawberries or involved in some other household or farm duties, her favorite pastime was sitting in a tree, reading a book with the family's collie Brownie nearby.

During her teen years, Ann moved to Dallas to live with her brother Garnett and his wife Freddie so that she could go to school in the big city. This is when she decided that she wanted to be known as "Ann" rather than "Rachel." She graduated from Adamson High School in 1946. Soon after, she met her husband Alton L. Harbin when her brother Ray introduced his Navy buddy to his sister. Their first date was at the Texas Theater on Jefferson Ave. in Dallas, TX. The couple married September 4, 1948 and settled in Dallas where her sister, three of her brothers, and later, her parents lived as well.

She was proud that four of her brothers and her husband served in World War II and supported Veterans causes throughout her life.

Ann worked a few different office jobs, while her husband worked for a military defense contractor for the next 43 years. She became a full-time homemaker when her daughters Julie and Joanna were born. Ann enjoyed being home with her children and making a home. She took pride in sewing for the girls until they got to that sassy age when they wanted to wear "what everyone else was wearing" rather than the one-of-a-kind outfits that Ann crafted with precision and love. She was room mother and volunteered as a school nurse. School parties always meant freshly baked peanut butter cookies wrapped in a paper sack. The smell was intoxicating. She baked, especially for holidays, often using pecans from the backyard pecan tree. Al would crack and peel the pecans and Ann would make pies, breads, cakes and a family favorite-fudge. For years, the family enjoyed "fried-chicken Sunday." She passed down her own and her mother's cooking talents to Julie and Joanna. Both girls enjoy cooking and call on memories of their mother and grandmother as they concoct in their own kitchens. Ann celebrated her children's achievements, throwing little after-school celebrations for milestones such as reading a first chapter book. She hosted many family holidays and get-togethers, including both daughters' Young Methodist Fellowship (YMF) groups.

In 1966, the family moved to DeSoto, a small suburb of Dallas, where they would live well after their children established their own families. She went to work at Dixico Corporation in 1969 and retired years later having served as executive administrative assistant to the suite of company executives. She was a master of the IBM Selectric typewriter, and balked at her need to transition to a word processor. She rose to the occasion, however. Without slighting those who she reported to, many fondly observed that it was she who "ran the company."

Ann and her husband settled in Columbus, OH in 2006 to be near her daughter Joanna and family. And as is true for her daughters and late husband, you can take the guy or gal out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the guy or gal.

Nine grandchildren loved Ann. She cared for mother, child, sibling at each of their births. Each grandchild has special memories of spending holidays, special one-on-one occasions, and special gifts with their grandmother. Her nine great-grandchildren have been fortunate to enjoy special times with her as well.

Ann will be remembered as loving caregiver to her father and mother, as well as other family members. She and Al became a special supporting caregivers when their granddaughter Jessica was born having special needs. While Al kept the yard in meticulous shape, Ann was responsible for the beautiful flowers. One of her oft-spoken-of accomplishments was her two azalea gardens. She loved to read and was quite good writer, having written numerous poems. She and Al loved their Crusaders class at First United Methodist Church of DeSoto and were involved in serving and enjoying life with this special group of friends. She was a loving wife to Al for 71 years, a champion for her daughters' endeavors, a loving grandma and great-grandma, a gracious hostess to family and friends, and a poised and effective communicator. Ann loved celebrating her Lord Jesus Christ with the liturgy of the United Methodist Church, and almost always had a song in her heart-softly humming as she served.

Ann and her husband lived their last days, first with home care assistance, and later at Wesley Woods Senior Living as Alzheimer's Disease did its ugly work. Despite the challenges presented by the disease, they were surrounded by caregivers and nurses whose work of loving and caring for Ann and Al were sacred ministries.

Ann is predeceased by her husband of 71 years Alton Langley Harbin, parents John Samuel Epps and Nettie Carithers Epps, sister Jane (Robert) Ingram, brothers Jack Hampton Epps, Gilbert Epps, Garnett (Freddie) Epps, Dorsey (Winnie) Epps, and Ray (Eudine) Epps, sister-in-law Jacqueline Hance Works, and brother-in-law David Harbin. Ann is survived by daughter Julie Allison (Stephan McClellan) and daughter and son-in-law Joanna and Kevin Baker; grandchildren Bryan Crawford, Matthew Crawford (Teresa), Jennifer Camp (Nick), Emily Crawford), Elizabeth Crawford, Tim Crawford (Adrienne), granddaughter Jessica Baker, Scott Baker (Hannah), and Rachel Jordan (Taylor); great grandchildren Ricky Marcek, Max Crawford, Bethany Morrow (Jordyn), Grace Camp, Olivia Camp, Brianna Crawford, Gwen Good, Opal Good, Timothy Crawford, Jr., and Ella Kay Baker, and nieces Gloria Epps Pressnall, Rebecca Epps Stewart, and Linda Epps Fullen, nephew James Epps ,and sisters-in-law Jo Carter Harbin and Roberta (Jerry) Hudson and her husband's nieces Patricia Orlando, Jill Kaufman, and Janice Farnsworth.

Because her daughters can't imagine having a memorial service at a time (because of the Covid-19) when they can't hug and cry on friends and family, they plan to have a memorial service later.

Julie and Joanna are so grateful to the staff at Wesley Woods that they recommend that those who would like to honor her memory give to Philanthropic Funds at Wesley Woods of New Albany at https://www.wesleyatnewalbany.com/donate/