Anne Marie Desaix Robertson

Anne Marie, the oldest of three children, was born in Memphis, Tennessee on November 19, 1929 to Inez and Henry E. Desaix. Anne Marie’s sister, Claire Louise Desaix Simpson, lives in Moorestown, New Jersey, and her brother, Henry E. Desaix, Jr. (Harry), lives in Germantown, Tennessee. Anne Marie graduated from Central High School in Memphis, attended the University of Mississippi, and graduated from Memphis State University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1971.

Anne Marie taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade at St. Richard’s Catholic School in Jackson, Mississippi from 1960 until 1968, when she went to work for the Mental Health Services in the Department of Public Health as a social worker. In 1972, Anne Marie became Assistant Supervisor of the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse for the Department of Mental Health. She was promoted to Division Director by the Board of Mental Health in 1977, continuing in this role until her retirement in 1993. Through her work as Division Director Anne Marie helped improve the lives of countless Mississippians by developing and implementing alcohol and drug programs across the state. Her influence on alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention became nation-wide, as Anne Marie was selected for membership in organizations such as the Southeastern Conference of Alcohol and Drug Programs (which she also chaired for two years), the Alcohol and Drug Problems Association (serving as board member), and becoming the first female president of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD). In her role as NASADAD president, Anne Marie testified before Senator John Glenn’s Congressional Committee on Government Affairs, with the topic being an overview of federal activities regarding alcohol abuse and alcoholism, and served on the National Drug Abuse Advisory Council. She received numerous awards for outstanding service for her work with treatment programs.

Anne Marie leaves behind three children, Thomas S. Robertson III (Tom) and wife Cindy of Tucson, Arizona, John D. Robertson II of Old Hickory, Tennessee, and Marianne Robertson Wallace and husband Jimmy of Lake Charles, Louisiana. She was blessed with six grandchildren: Dustin Robertson of Nashville, Tennessee, Sarah Robertson Hazen of Tucson, Arizona, Maribeth Wallace Buczacki of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Thomas Robertson of Tucson, Arizona, Jamie Wallace of Greeley, Colorado, and Rebecca Robertson Fuller (Becca) of Nashville, Tennessee. Anne Marie was a great grandmother to Savannah Desaix Hazen and was very thrilled with the newest addition to her family in January, Haven Alivia Robertson. She was looking forward to welcoming a great grandson in April. She spent many happy moments visiting and travelling with her children and their families.

Anne Marie’s interests were numerous and varied; she enjoyed art, music, travelling, cooking, playing bridge, discussing politics, and in earlier times, Anne Marie spent many happy days on sailboats. Perhaps her favorite pursuit, after spending time with her loved ones, was delving into one of her favorite authors’ latest literary endeavors.

Anne Marie spent her final moments in her own home, with her children near, and surrounded by reminders of a life well spent. She was funny, smart, kind, and unforgettable. Anne Marie will be missed by those who loved her; she passes from our hands into the loving arms of her parents, Inez and Harry, who went before her.

A funeral will be held at the Calvary Garden Mausoleum in the Calvary Cemetery in Memphis, TN on January 27, 2016 at 1:00 PM. Visitation for Anne Marie Desaix Robertson will be held at the Calvary Garden Mausoleum in the Calvary Cemetery on January 27, 2016 at 12:30 PM.

A memorial will be held at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS on February 6, 2016 at 2:00. Visitation will be held at Parkway on February 6, 2016 at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Anne Marie Desaix Robertson’s name to: St. Richard’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 16547, Jackson, Mississippi, 39236-6547 http://saintrichard.com/; Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Boulevard, Ridgeland, Mississippi, 39157, http://www.hospiceministries.org/Ridgeland.php; or Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson, 3155 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716 http://www.bgctucson.org/