In Memory

Ann Vawter (Haynes)

Ann Vawter (Haynes)

Ann passed away December 30th after a battle with cancer.  A celebration of Ann's life is being planned. Details will be posted when they are finalized.  

Ann Vawter Haynes, a lifelong Fort Worth resident, died peacefully Friday, December 30, 2022. Born January 27, 1950, Ann was the second of six children to Jack and Nonie Vawter. Ann will be remembered for her boundless energy, her generous spirit, her creative flair, and her warm heart. She was the consummate party planner and historian for her family and friends.

Ann attended Holy Name of Jesus and graduated from R.L.Paschal High School in 1968. At Paschal, she was a member of Phylades and formed life-long friendships cemented by trips to Benbrook Lake with Ain’t No Mountain High Enough playing on repeat as they drove. Friendships were a central and important thread in Ann’s life. She took true joy in celebrating and supporting those around her. Many of Ann’s friendships sprang from her work, first as a legal secretary, then as administrative support at General Dynamics, and later at Gabberts. Gabberts is where her passion for decorating and design fully blossomed. Through the years, she helped countless friends and customers hand art and create beautiful spaces for their families to enjoy. She was an expert shopper, especially when it came to choosing just the right accessory for a home or finding classic, flattering clothes—with bonus points if they had pockets! Ann was resourceful. She had a knack for making the most of what she had on hand and always making sure there was enough to go around. The other central theme of Ann’s rich, full life was her enduring love of entertaining, without cooking. She looked forward to all the celebrations and traditions with her groups of friends like birthday lunches and bridge groups. She even helped form one special bridge group that has continued getting together since 1975. 

She is survived by her daughter, Heather Haynes Smith, PhD and son-in-law Bryan of San Antonio, her son Preston Haynes of Brewster County, TX, and her grandchildren Aden Jack Smith and Peyton Haynes Tenorio. She is also survived by siblings Jack Vawter and wife Becky of Denton, TX, Scott Vawter and wife Glynell of Brady, TX, Jane Ethredge of Houston, TX, and Mary Ownbey and husband Terry of Crowley, TX; sisters-in-law Heather Haynes McGee and husband Toby of Oklahoma City, OK and Laurie Haynes of Sebastopol, CA; cousins and extended family in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia, and the many, many nieces, nephews, their children and her friends and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Sue Vawter Huffman, and the love of her life, Barry Jenkins.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be held on her birthdate, January 27th, from 4:00-7:00. Please visit this link to let us know if you can join us and for the address. https://sites.google.com/view/annvawterhaynes



 
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12/31/22 08:50 AM #3    

Bruce Biege

God Bless You Ann Journey Well You Have Always Been A Star!

 


12/31/22 01:36 PM #4    

Michael Hofstein

New Years Eve 2023

Dear Ann,

Marian and I awoke this morning thinking of you.  We love you and will love you forever.

You, Marian and I kept each other close for so many years. When we were all together, I loved cooking for the 3 of us. Your philosophy inspired as much as it kept me grounded through the years.  Above all - through sad times and happy days, you helped keep dreams alive, even as we aged.

Your boundaries were none existent. You ignored my lectures about smoking although you seemed to always pretend to appreciate them.

There is no one Marian and I know, ever, who gave more than you gave.

Your kindnesses and craziness were intertwined with living - truly a life like no other. 

So many will miss you and your kindness.

Love always and forever.

  


12/31/22 03:00 PM #5    

Andrea Hopkins (Norton)

So sorry to hear about Ann. She was such a dear! Safe crossing and RIP.  Andrea


12/31/22 07:05 PM #6    

Hope Griffith (Matthews)

Ann was such a very special friend that you're lucky enough to have known. Witty, generous, life-of-the-party Ann will live on in all our hearts and minds!  Rest in peace my dear friend.  
Hope


01/04/23 09:28 AM #7    

Wade Clements

We are so sorry to hear about Anns passing. Sending love and prayers. She was a very nice person and will be missed

Wade Clements


01/04/23 10:01 AM #8    

Kathy O'Byrne (Bradham)

Thank you, to whoever wrote this perfect, spot-on tribute to Ann. The memory gates opened with the many facets of Ann.  She was so uniquely different, in a wonderful way.  At our 50th reunion, Ann was sincere but insistent that we sit down, she wanted to know everything, every detail of what I'd been doing for the how many years since we last saw each other.  Ann was like that with everyone, she made you feel special. There will never be anyone quite like Ann, God threw that mold away!   
--O'Byrne


01/05/23 03:41 AM #9    

Catherine Bechtel (Team)

Ann and I didn't know each other much in high school until I met her in Coach Allen's study hall and we promptly got in trouble for talking. Coach Allen banished us from sitting together but creative Ann figured out we could get library passes and escape. There we could laugh and talk all we wanted because the librarian didn't care so much. It got better when Ann nabbed Cynthia to join in and library became my favorite hour of the school day. Homework never got done but who cared? 

Fast forward 45 years and I "re-met" Ann at some bridge club luncheon and we immediately hit it off all over again. She loved to laugh and was my perfect audience. We had fun just like all those years ago in study hall. Except now, it was old ladies acting silly, and somehow now it was even more fun. 

As anyone who knew Ann knew she was governed by the clock. Always early, always organized and always helping others to be on-time and organized with her yellow sticky notes. I was her perfect foil. Not so on time and not so organized but not so worried about it and certainly not into sticky notes. This drove her crazy. I'd like to think I've improved thanks to Ann. I can still hear her in my head admonishing me for being late to pick her up for lunch and me thinking- five minutes is a win. After lunch, we would shop good deals only Ann could find.

I'm going to miss that.

I can see her in my mind's eye right now with her contented smile, her glass of wine and  her cigarettes. She was always saying something clever--and it was always laced with that wicked sense of humor. She was the laughter of any party and her gracious, sincere love of people always made everyone feel good. So, that's how I see her, seated at a table waiting for us to join the party.

Patience Ann. We're not far behind.

 

 


01/05/23 01:25 PM #10    

David Pickett

Ann was one of the sweetest people I ever met. Her incredible smile and love of life has been a favorite memory of mine. God bless and keep you Ann and give you rest.


01/06/23 10:15 PM #11    

Hope Griffith (Matthews)

I will be joining in the Celebration of Life for Ann. I am unable to get the link to open for me so can someone send me the address, please?

Thanks!!

Hope 


01/06/23 10:15 PM #12    

Hope Griffith (Matthews)

I will be joining in the Celebration of Life for Ann. I am unable to get the link to open for me so can someone send me the address, please?

Thanks!!

Hope 


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