Ann DeLay

Anna L. DeLay was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on January 16, 1939 and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 28, 2024, at the age of 85. Anna was known to her friends as “Ann”, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as “Nana”.

Ann graduated from high school in 1957 from Fort Smith Northside High School. She was a proud graduate and loved attending Grizzly football games well into her 80’s. After high school, she attended the University of Arkansas for one year before transferring to Baylor Dental School in Dallas to become a licensed dental hygienist. She worked as a hygienist for a few years, but left the profession to become a stay at home mom. Her greatest joy in life was being a full-time wife, mother, and homemaker.

It was during the time she was in Dallas that she met her husband of 59 years, Bob DeLay. They married on December 12, 1959 in Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith and had three children, Zem, Gunner, and Woody. Bob and Ann were each other’s best friend and they built their life together serving their church, family, and community.

Ann was an active member and teacher at First Baptist Church for over 60 years. She taught many grades in the children and youth departments, and was also a teacher in the AWANA program, which encourages young children to memorize scripture. Besides teaching, she was a faithful participant in the church prayer ministry. Bob and Ann made it a priority to establish a strong spiritual foundation for their children based on faith in Christ.

Ann was known for her gracious hospitality. She loved to entertain. Everyone, including unexpected guests, always felt welcome in her home. Ann made sure that evenings in the DeLay home were spent around the dinner table enjoying a wonderful meal, laughing, and sharing the happenings of the day.

Besides cooking, Ann enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid gardener. Whether it was flowers or vegetables, she knew how to make things grow. She also enjoyed hobbies such playing tennis, snow skiing, shopping for antiques, and bird watching.

Ann was preceded in death by husband, Robert W. DeLay, her parents, Woody and Edith Rodgers, and son Woody Warren DeLay. She is survived by her two children - daughter, Zem L. Hawley, and husband Mitch, and son, Gunner DeLay, and wife Robin. She was the proud grandparent of six grandchildren - Taylor DeLay Payton and her husband Drew, Gunner DeLay Jr. and his wife Britta, Caroline DeLay Afoakwah and her husband Will, Suzanna DeLay, Stephen Hudgins and his wife Heather, and Lauren Seuser and her husband Marc, as well as eight great-grandchildren – Ryan and Abby Hudgins, Tripp and Tatum DeLay, and Mason and Reese Seuser, and Woody and Willa Joy Afoakwah.

Memorial Service will be 11:00 AM Monday, August 5, 2024, at First Baptist Church.

Private burial at Forest Park Cemetery will be prior to the Memorial Service.

Honorary pallbearers are J.D. Sagely, Don Castling, Don Griffin, Mont Sagely, John Clayton, Gordon Castling, Stan Biggs, Cameron Clement, and Dr. Larry Dormois.

Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church, Ft. Smith c/o Foreign Mission Offering.

Online condolences may be sent to : www.edwardsfuneralhome.com