Ann Kelley Lindsey

Ann Kelley Lindsey, 86, a longtime resident of Rutledge, entered the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 7. As she stepped into eternity, she was surrounded by her family, who sang hymns, read Scripture and gave prayers of thanksgiving for her 86 years of life. Funeral services for Ann will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 14, at Chapel Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Moses and Rev. Neal Kelley officiating. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, June 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. Ann will lie-in-state at the church on Friday for 30 minutes prior to the service. 

Ann was born on March 14, 1938, to Leon and Imelda Horn Kelley. After graduating from Luverne High School in 1956, she moved to Montgomery and began working at Coppers as a clerical assistant. She married Dennis Lindsey in 1961, and the two relocated to Mobile where they founded a construction sales business. Ann quickly became a fixture of the Mobile community. She was an active member of Cottage Hill Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and regularly hosted church events in her home. She returned to Rutledge in 1996 to care for her mother. In Rutledge, she served as music director at Chapel Hill Baptist Church for many years and volunteered at numerous organizations, including the Luverne Food Bank and the Boys and Girls Club. 

Ann had an adventurous spirit that she indulged later in life. After her mother passed, she began to travel with her family. Whether it was going to the beach, boating or just meeting new people from all walks of life, she truly enjoyed basking in the beauty she found throughout the world. She felt blessed to make several trips to Europe, Canada, Alaska and the Dominican Republic, but had a special fondness for her experiences in Europe where she was able to see so much Biblical artwork and statues, as well as the catacombs and glorious cathedrals. Ann’s contagious smile and genuine love of other people made her the perfect traveling companion and every single adventure taken together was a special memory. Some of her favorite experiences on these trips, whether it was climbing the 1,500 steps at Montserrat or getting dolled up to visit their favorite trattoria with the locals in Italy, were with her son’s mother-in-law, Edna. Their enduring friendship not only made their trips so very memorable but also helped strengthen their family bonds that will last for generations to come.

Ann also had a marvelous sense of humor and truly embodied the description that her high school classmates gave her: “She’s little, but she’s wise, she’s a terror for her size” (which never failed to send her into a fit of giggles whenever repeated)! Unsurprisingly, she loved rhymes like “see ya later, alligator” and “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite” as her special way of telling you good night.

Ann, or “Granny” as she was known to her beloved grandchildren, never failed to make even the mundane special for her family and friends. She was one of a kind, feisty, spirited, and simply amazing. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy of fun, laughter and enduring faith, both in her Lord and Savior and her fellow man. Words cannot fully encompass the incredible mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she was, but her family will continue to treasure every precious memory made together over their lifetimes. She will always be remembered for her strong faith, contagious smile and love for adventure and life. Her unwavering loyalty, selflessness and grace profoundly impacted all who were blessed to know her.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Imelda Horn Kelley; sister, Katherine Welch and brother, James Kelley. She is survived by her children, Wade (Suzanne) Lindsey and Susan (Matt) Adams; grandchildren, Justin Lindsey, Ashley (David) Fitzgerald, Abi (Sam) Hughes, Jonathan Adams, Stephen Adams, Crystal (Ethan) Pipkin and Christopher (Danielle) Tinsley; nine great-grandchildren and so many others who loved her dearly.

Active pallbearers will be Justin Lindsey, Jonathan Adams, Stephen Adams, Sam Hughes, Christopher Tinsley and Joey Carpenter.