Anne Turpin Cody

Anne was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on the 26th of April 1954, to Charles Braxton Turpin and Mae Hardy Turpin of Mount Airy, NC. She graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1972, where she was class Valedictorian and member of the cheerleading team. She then attended Duke University where she graduated with a dual Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Religious Studies in 1976. She joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority and participated in an archaeological dig while studying abroad in Israel. She then received a Master’s in Business Administration from Wake Forest University in 1978. During her time, she continued her study abroad in London and was one of only 20 women in her graduating class.

Upon graduation, Anne was the first woman hired by the Finance Department at Gulf Oil Company, where she served as an Accountant and CPA first in Atlanta, Georgia and then Houston for over a decade. At work, she was remembered by friends and peers for her incredible skill and aptitude. Following her career, Anne held many leadership positions in Houston’s philanthropic areas. She served as a President of the Houston Junior League, the River Oaks Country Club Women’s Association and Treasurer of the Houston Zoo Friends in addition to many boards of and event committees over the years. Anne and Claude were members of River Oaks Country Club and members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for over 40 years.

Claude met Anne Turpin in 1983, and they were married on the 20th of September 1986, in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The couple welcomed three children, Carr, Braxton, and Catherine. She poured her creativity and talent toward loving and supporting her children in all their endeavors. From setting up larger-than-life birthdays, organizing classroom activities at their schools, supporting their extracurriculars, Anne was devoted to her three kids above all. To all who knew her well, she shared frequently about their lives and received the most joy from their frequent visits, especially when they came with their dogs Lucy (Braxton) and Cosmo (Catherine).

Known for her direct style of communication, striking intellect, and witty sense of humor, Anne earned admiration, respect, and love from all who interacted with her. Gifted with an impeccable memory, Anne quickly memorized birthdays of friends and family and never missed an opportunity to share gifts and messages. She loved playing host at her home, as well as going out to favorite spots with family and friends. Anne was a competitive tennis player in young adulthood who never missed a single final of the US Clay Courts at River Oaks Country Club. In addition to these interests, Anne was an avid and feverish reader, who was first in line for more than one Harry Potter release and enjoyed rewatching favorite movies equally to finding new classics to stream.

Anne is survived by her children Claude Carr Cody V (Alexandra), Braxton Turpin Cody (Alaina), and Catherine Anne Cody (Steven); sister-in-law Carol Cody Herder (Charlie); niece Sarah Herder Nathan (Matthew); and nephew Charles Henry Herder III (Tina). She is preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Claude Carr Cody IV; her brother, Charles Braxton Turpin, Jr.; and parents, Charles Braxton Turpin and Mae Hardy Turpin.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 18th of January, in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, where the Rev. Katie Montgomery Mears is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to join the family during a reception in Fellowship Hall.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Anne’s honor may be directed to the Houston Junior League, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027 or by visiting online at https://www.jlh.org/support; River Oaks Women’s Association, 1600 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, TX 77019-1299; or Houston Zoo Friends, ATTN Development, 1513 Cambridge St., Houston, TX 77030 or by visiting online at https://p2p.onecause.com/houstonzoofund/donate. Any flowers in Anne’s memory should be sent to Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Dr., Houston, TX 77057.

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