April 6, 1927 – March 16, 2017
Ann passed away on March 16, 2017 in Waxhaw, NC. She was born April 6, 1927 to Evelyn Council and Robert F. Stuart Sr. of Rowland, NC. Ann married James B. (Red) Ashley of Fairmont in 1947. They made their home in Fairmont until retiring to Ocean Isle, NC and later to Charlotte. Ann is survived by daughters; Marilyn Nelson (John) of Lake Lure, Jamie Leggett of Waxhaw and The Grandson, Russell Leggett of Waxhaw. Other survivors are Joe Stuart; nephew, sister-in-laws; Margaret A. Oliver and Jeanette A. Webster, and her Council and Stuart cousins and Ashley nieces, nephews. A special remembrance goes to Ann’s caregiver Susan Knight of Waxhaw. She followed Ann to the nursing home and got a job there much to Ann’s delight. There are many family members, neighbors and friends that passed through Ann’s life that made life memorable for her. Ann graduated from Rowland High School, attended Coker University in Hartsville and graduated from Raleigh School of Commerce. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Fairmont during her adult life. As a child she was a member of Centenary Methodist Church. That church is now on the National Historical Registry and began on the Stuart farm as a “brush arbor” church and later became “Centenary” in it’s current location on Hwy. 130E of Rowland. The graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at 1:00 PM at Floyd Memorial Cemetery in Fairmont officiated by Rev. Michael Hale. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Centenary Memorial Fund, c/o John Edens, 12200 Idlewood Dr., Laurinburg 28352 or for perpetual care of the Stuart family cemetery to: Mrs. Jane S. Hale, 1151 Stuart Mill Rd., Rowland, NC 28383.