Ann Louise Sasser

Anna (Ann) Louise Byrd Sasser, daughter of the late Albert C. Byrd and Dollie Mae Broome Cunningham, died on November 18, 2025. Ann was the widow of Rev. Harper J. Sasser.

Ann was born in Rossville, Georgia, the oldest of three children. Her early childhood years were spent in Rossville and Chattanooga. At the age of six, her parents moved to Baltimore, Maryland, and then to Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where they lived until her father, who was in the U.S. Navy, was transferred to Naval Base San Diego. After World War II, they returned to Jacksonville Beach. The family remained there until Ann was in her teens, when they moved back to Rossville.

On June 9, 1953, Ann married Harper Jerome Sasser, a young Methodist seminary student at Emory University. During their 56 ½ years of marriage, they served several churches in the Chattanooga, Maryville, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge Holston Conference districts. They lived in Greeneville, TN, for six years, where Harper served as the Executive Director of the Holston United Methodist Home for Children.

Throughout their ministry, Ann was known for her delicious meals and gracious entertaining. She was active in many areas of the church such as teaching children in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and an active member of the United Methodist Women. She was a PTA mom, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a committed volunteer in her community-cooking for Meals on Wheels and serving at the local food pantry.

Ann put her special touch on every parsonage, making each one truly feel like home. Ann's true loves were being a wife and a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (Granny Annie) to her family. She and Harper often said that their years together were the happiest time of their lives.

Ann is survived by her children, Arita (Tom) Jewart, Harper Jerome (Gina) Sasser Jr., and Thomas (Diane) Sasser; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Gweneth Holden (Bill, deceased), her brother, Rev. Al Cunningham (Lynne), and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted at Brainerd United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by the memorial service at 2:30 p.m. A private burial will be held.