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Ann H. Stripling, 94 of Cordele, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020 at Fellowship Home of Cordelia Manor. She was born to Lige And Mattie Burney Hart in Colquitt County, Ga.  Her bright red hair came to define her attitude towards life: enthusiastic, fun, and always ready to go!  In fact, during the 1970’s, she drove a bronze Pontiac Firebird and her CB radio “handle” was “Grandma Red”.

She graduated from Colquitt County High School and, to her great regret, rather than attend college as she had dreamed, she went immediately to work.  She was working at Friedlander’s in Moultrie when she met a soldier stationed at Spence Field.  Following his tour of duty, she married Albert Hugh Stripling and moved to Cordele where she stayed for the remainder of her life.

Ann found her employment home at the Crisp County Power Commission.  She held a number of assignments there but concluded her 33-year career as Executive Secretary to the Manager of the Power Commission serving during the careers of 4 different managers.

When she finally retired, she began living the large life she had envisioned.  She loved to travel and visited Hawaii, England, Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland with family.  She also traveled the United States visiting friends and family.  Even in her 90s, she looked forward to trips to South Carolina for family visits and holidays.  She especially loved going to “Forced Family Fun,” the family spending a vacation week together at the beach.

Her favorite of all holidays was “the day after Thanksgiving.”  This day had become special to her entire Hart family.  It was the day when four generations of this family came together on the property of “the home place” to share food and fun together.  She adored her nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren and was so happy to have this time with them each year.

She is survived by her son, Alex Stripling (Susan) and her grandchildren, Jeannie Ruiz, Terri Ann Stripling (Leslie Thaxton), and Wayne Stripling and her great granddaughter, Hannah Ruiz.  She also dearly loved her “steps” (But, don’t call them that, she said.  They are all mine!), grandchildren Kelly K. Dusa (Eric) and Jeff Keeney (Emily) and great grandchildren Mary-Charlotte and Hollis Dusa and Hayden and Wells Keeney.

Because of current limitations on gatherings, burial will be private.  A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal church where she was a member when this crisis has passed.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Christ Episcopal Church – General Fund, P.O. Box 264, Cordele, GA  31010, or Reflections Hospice, 202 East 4th Avenue, Cordele, GA 31015.

Arrangements are by Rainey Family Funeral Services. An online guest register is available at www.raineyfuneral.com.