Ann McPherson Bryan

Ann McPherson Bryan, 86, passed away at her home in Huntington Beach, Calif., surrounded by her family on June 23, 2023. She was born March 5, 1937, in Monticello to Orrin and Mae McPherson. She graduated from Monticello High School as valedictorian and then attended Sullins College in Bristol, Va., and University of Mississippi, graduating in 1959. She then headed to Florida in 1960 to start her career as an elementary school teacher.
One year later, she met her future husband, Gene, who was an officer in the Navy at the time, at a party on Patrick Air Force Base near Cape Canaveral. Ann and Gene married on Aug. 12, 1961, in Monticello and settled in Cocoa Beach, Fla., where in the midst of the space race, with rockets roaring overhead, they had two children, Rachel and Mark. In 1965, the family moved to San Pedro, Calif., to support Gene’s career with Douglas Aircraft. There, they had their third child, Stephen. In 1977, the family moved to Huntington Beach, where Ann lived until her passing.
Ann was a deeply caring and loving mother and wife and blessed us all with her words of wisdom, a beautiful home and garden, delicious food, and her special skill of making even the smallest moments feel special. She loved traveling to see her family as we followed her pioneering spirit and spread to Italy, New York, and San Francisco.
Ann’s lifelong struggle with her health led to her deep ministry of faith as she successfully pursued victory over illness. Ann was a prayer warrior ministering to many family, friends, and strangers. She was a very active member of several church women’s organizations, a soprano in the choir, a Bible teacher for fifth and sixth grade girls, a passionate supporter of Operation Christmas Child, and an advocate for many women and children’s charities. She also contributed to her community as a substitute teacher and Southern cooking and baking instructor.
Ann’s legacy continues through her husband, Gene; daughter, Rachel; sons, Mark and daughter-in-law, Andreea; and Stephen and daughter-in-law, Elisa; grandchildren, Caterina, Annabelle, Nicholas, Alexandra, Ellianna, Flynn, and Conor; sister, Rachel and brother-in-law Patrick; nephew, Pace and his fiancée, Mary Crane; and niece, Isabel and her husband, Joshua Checkely.
We are sadly grieving the loss of our marvelous wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend but finding comfort and joy that she is now with her ever-loving heavenly father.