Ann Brown Cron

Ann was born in Nashville, Tn to L.D. and Viola (later Lawrence) Hoppes. The fifth of six children, she came into this world during the Great Depression and, as the story is told, she was born premature and no bigger than the palm of your hand. They didn’t expect her to live, but live she did – for 94 years………

While small in size, she was huge in heart and spirit. Her father died when she was a young child leaving her mother to raise 6 children by herself during the Depression. MawMaw often shared the story that most Christmas’ they couldn’t afford a tree, and their “prized” gift was simply a piece of fruit and a piece of candy. One of the many things that made MawMaw special was her ability to find joy and happiness in the smallest of things, and when she would tell that story, you could still see the delight and the magic in her eyes.

Ann married James (Jimmy) Brown in 1947, and soon thereafter they had their only child Judy Gale (Ashburn). They lived for a number of years in Cookeville, TN where Jimmy and Ann ran a dental lab, and where she became known in those days for her country cooking – always from scratch. Ann and Jimmy traveled extensively, and she often reminisced about their trips to Europe where she fell in love with Germany and Switzerland.

After Jimmy died in 1974, Ann moved back to Nashville and began a long career with Nashville Dental. During that time, MawMaw became a rabid NASCAR fan. For the next 10 years you would find her all over the country, attending races, and loudly rooting on her favorite driver Darrell Waltrip. The funny thing is that even at 94, just prior to her death, MawMaw was still camped out in her chair every Sunday to watch “the race”, and you’d still hear her cheering on her favorite drivers – most recently Kyle Larson.

Ann later married Don Cron and they lived a wonderful life of retirement in Nashville until his death, upon which time MawMaw chose to move to Florida, and later Missouri, to live the balance of her life with her daughter Judy, her son-in-law Tom, and her grandchildren.

MawMaw is survived by her 3 grandchildren, Chris Ashburn (Anna), Jeff Ashburn (Amy) and Jennifer Fisher (Byron); 7 great grandchildren, Jordan, C.J., Savannah, B.J., Jake, Aidan, and Carmen; 2 great, great grandchildren, Felix and Naomi; and Ann’s sister Katie. She was preceded in death by her parents, 4 siblings, her two husbands, and her beloved only child, Judy Ashburn.

Although generally soft spoken, MawMaw taught us much by example during her phenomenal life. She taught us to appreciate every day, to squeeze every bit of life out of it that you can, to find joy in the smallest and most random places, to enjoy a glass or three of wine, to love your family, and to always smile – even during the toughest of times.

We will miss you MawMaw. Your spirit will forever live with us and in our hearts.

A visitation for Ann will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1150 South Dickerson Road, Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Following the visitation will be a graveside service at 3:00 PM at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 1150 S. Dickerson Pike Rd., Goodlettsville, TN.

Ann will be laid to rest in Garden of Gethsemane, Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 1150 South Dickerson Road, Goodlettsville, TN.