Ann A. Gilmer

Ann Amis "Tot" Gilmer, born January 26, 1936, in Greenwood, MS, to Azolee Tupper Curtis and Lex H. Curtis, died Sunday, January 31, 2010, at St. Dominic's hospital after a long, courageous battle.
Though small in stature, she was fierce in strength and will. Cancer attempted to take her six times, but finally gave up and moved on. Ann was raised in Greenwood and moved to Brandon in 1966 from Laurel, serving as Chancery Court reporter for Judge L.B. Porter. She then became the court reporter in the Eighth Circuit District in 1975 working with then Circuit Judge Roy Noble Lee. After Lee was promoted to the Mississippi Supreme Court, Ann continued to serve with three circuit judges, including O.H. Barnett, Ed Williamson, and finally her dear friend Marcus D. Gordon. Judge Gordon presented Ann with a resolution adopted by the bar in four counties (Leake, Scott, Neshoba, and Newton) in 2007 honoring her for her exceptional efficiency and diligence in her work. She served in numerous positions with the Mississippi Court Reporter's Association through the years, and retired with more than thirty years of service with the State of Mississippi.
Ann was also co-director of the Miss Mississippi Hemisphere Pageants with Beverly Tadlock Smith. They coached and assisted young ladies from around the country from age three to Miss America status for over twenty-two years. Ann and Beverly had many success stories including Miss America Susan Aiken.
They traveled throughout the United States for competitions, taking turns driving. She loved beautiful flowers and the water, both the Beach and the Reservoir, and was called "Miss Ann" by all her friends at the Pier.
"Tot" as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren is survived by her husband, Tommy Gilmer of Madison; daughters, Mitsi Blaylock Tigrett (Travis) of Brandon, and Keri Amis Cosmich (John) of Madison; Six grandchildren: MaryAnn Tigrett Loiselle (AJ) of Pensacola, FL.; Carley Tigrett of Brandon; Alex Cosmich, Isabelle Cosmich, and Sophia Cosmich of Madison; and Tyson Tigrett of Brandon; and Sister-in-law and dear friend, Cora Sue Sorrell of Madison.
She was preceded in death by her brother Lex H Curtis, Jr.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2010, from 12pm-2pm at Natchez Trace Funeral Home on Highway 51 in Madison with services at 2 pm with Ann's cousins Rev. Farley Earnest and Rev. Marcus Finch officiating. Interment will be in Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery.
Active pall bearers will be Circuit Judge Marcus D. Gordon; Leake County Sheriff Gregg Waggoner; Newton County Sheriff Jackie Knight; Retired Neshoba County Sheriff Glenn Waddell; Newton County Deputy Randy Patrick and retired Scott County Sheriff William Richardson. Honorary pall bearers will be Waymon Tigrett, Dennis Smith, Jimmy Moore, and Sam Waggoner.
Ann's family would like to thank Dr. Richard Yelverton, Dr. Isaac Aultman, Dr. Paul Seago, Dr. David Seago, Dr. Deborah Skelton, nurses Vickie Weatherford, Buddy Blackledge, Aletha Graves, the 3 wonderful caregivers from Mississippi Home Care; Angie Healey, Connie Lovett, Brenda Teel and dear Sister Gemma from St. Dominic's Hospital for their love and care during her illness. Memorials can be made to the Gateway Rescue Mission.